MOSCOW (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the US that the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously undermine relations between Moscow and Washington, but will not change the situation. On the battlefield A place where the Russian army is slowly and steadily progressing.
The possibility of US Tomahawk cruise missiles being supplied to Kiev indicates a “qualitatively new stage of escalation, including Russia-US relations.”
The Russian leader pointed out that if Tomahawk missiles were supplied to Ukraine, Russian air defense would damage Russia if it quickly adapted to the new threat. “It certainly won’t change the balance of power on the battlefield,” he added. The Russian military continues to make profits For Ukraine.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Putin’s remarks.
President Donald Trump is walking from a Marine after arriving on the Southern Lawn of the White House in Washington on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
At the same time, President Putin welcomed President Donald Trump’s efforts to support peace negotiations in Ukraine, describing the August summit in Alaska as productive.
“It was good to try and find a possible way to resolve the Ukraine crisis,” he said.
While praising Trump and trying to highlight potential common interests, including nuclear weapons control, the Russian president sent harsh warnings to Ukraine’s western allies against attempting to seize a vessel that would carry Russian oil to global markers. He argued that it amounted to copyright infringement, and could trigger a strong response while making the global oil market sharply unstable.
asked about the detention of Oil tanker Off the Atlantic Coast of France, linked by President Emmanuel Macron Russia’s so-called shadow fleet Putin, an aging tanker of uncertain ownership eschewing Western sanctions, cast it as an attempt by Macron to distract the public from his own internal issues.
He strongly warned the West against such actions, claiming it was against international maritime law and could lead to a strong response. “The risk of conflict increases dramatically,” he added.
Firefighters are working on the flames after a hit Russian air force attack at the Barabashovo market in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)
Putin also scoffed at Western claims. Possible Russian involvement in recent drone flights through Denmarkcast them as part of NATO’s efforts to “inflame tensions to boost defense spending.”
“I won’t do that anymore – France, Denmark, Copenhagen, Lisbon – wherever they can reach,” he said with a sad smile.
When asked about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, President Putin called it a “heinous crime” that reflected the “deep division” of American society. He welcomed Kirk as a hero killed for promoting the same conservative values that Russia shares.
Putin also praised Michael Gross, the American and son of the Deputy CIA Chief, who joined the Russian army in 2024 and was killed while working in Ukraine. He said he awarded the medal.
The Russian leader likened Gross to Kirk and said he defended similar “traditional” values. “He gave his life as a Russian soldier, defending his life while defending those values, and Kirk gave his life while fighting for the same values in the United States,” Putin said.
In response to questions about Gloss, the CIA said in a statement that the agency “considered Michael’s death and death as a matter of private family, not a national security issue. The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their losses.”
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Washington Associated Press Writer David Klepper contributed.
