Putin Warns Of "Staggering" Response to US Tomahawk Escalation in Ukraine
Russian President slams Washington’s continued provocation, says any strike on Russian territory will trigger a severe reaction
Russia, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a strong warning to the United States and its allies, declaring that any Ukrainian strike using U.S.-made Tomahawk long-range missiles would provoke a “very serious, if not downright staggering” response from Moscow.
Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Thursday, Putin condemned the ongoing Western pressure on Washington to approve the transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kiev, calling it “an attempt at escalation.”
“If such weapons are used to strike Russian territory, the response will be very serious — if not outright overwhelming,”
Putin said. “Let them think about that.”
A New Escalation Front
The warning came amid reports that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had requested the missiles during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last week.
According to Axios, the request was declined for now, though U.S. officials have not ruled out the possibility, saying the decision remains under review.
Putin emphasized that Moscow views the potential delivery as an unmistakable escalation in the U.S.-NATO confrontation with Russia, adding that any such move would destroy remaining prospects for peace.
“This is an escalation attempt,” he reiterated. “Western leaders should think about the consequences before making such a reckless decision.”
“Tomahawks Won’t Change the Battlefield”
The Tomahawk is a U.S.-manufactured long-range cruise missile with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles). Its deployment would enable Kiev to target deep inside Russian territory.
However, Moscow has consistently maintained that such deliveries would not change the battlefield reality, but would instead undermine peace efforts and deal a severe blow to U.S.-Russian relations.
Putin noted that he had personally discussed the issue with Trump during a phone call last week.
“Delivering Tomahawks to Ukraine would severely undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement,”
he said.
Following that conversation, Trump himself admitted that it would be “not easy” for Washington to supply Kiev with Tomahawks, noting that the U.S. should not deplete its own arsenal for Ukraine’s war.
Washington’s Hand in Escalation
Despite Trump’s public hesitation, U.S. actions continue to feed the cycle of confrontation. By considering the transfer of advanced weapons such as Tomahawks — capable of hitting targets thousands of kilometers away — Washington risks dragging the world closer to a direct U.S.-Russia clash.
Putin’s latest statement reflects Moscow’s growing frustration with Western duplicity — speaking of peace while supplying weapons that push Europe toward wider war.
“If Russian territory is hit with such a weapon, the response will be very serious — if not outright overwhelming,” Putin warned again, underscoring Russia’s readiness to defend its sovereignty against any aggression. (PW)