Moscow – A stark warning from President Vladimir Putin to the United States has intensified fears of a wider escalation in the Ukraine conflict. Putin explicitly stated that if Washington supplies Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv for long-range strikes, it would irrevocably destroy the relationship between the two nuclear powers.
He argued that the operational complexity of Tomahawks makes it “impossible” to use them without the direct participation of US military personnel. Therefore, their provision to Ukraine would represent a “qualitatively new stage of escalation,” crossing a critical red line for the Kremlin and prompting a severe response.
This threat came as Putin touted his military’s successes, announcing that Russian forces have seized control of almost 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since the beginning of the year. During a meeting with his military brass, he asserted that Russia holds the “complete strategic initiative,” suggesting Moscow is dictating the pace and direction of the war.
In a parallel development, Ukraine has accused Russia of weaponizing its commercial fleet. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Moscow is using oil tankers not just for economic purposes but also for “reconnaissance and even sabotage activities.” This accusation points to a shadowy dimension of the conflict, far from the front lines.
Zelenskyy, however, projected confidence in thwarting these alleged operations. He revealed that Ukraine is working closely with its allies to develop a counter-strategy, insisting that it is “entirely possible to stop” Russia’s covert maritime activities.