Putin warns of major consequences if US delivers Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the possible delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would result in the destruction of relations between Russia and the United States. The statement was made in a video posted by Russian state television reporter Pavel Zarubin on the Telegram platform, Reuters reports. Tomahawk missiles are cruise missiles known for their accuracy and long range.

Putin's statement comes in response to a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has in the past asked US President Donald Trump to supply these missiles. The Ukrainian military hopes the Tomahawks would help it strengthen its defenses and ability to hit Russian targets at long range, which could significantly change the dynamics of the conflict.

Tomahawk missiles are highly accurate and can be launched from various types of aircraft or ships. Deploying them in Ukraine would be a technological and military move that could escalate tensions between Russia and the West. The Russian side has repeatedly expressed concern that any intensification of military support to Ukraine could escalate into a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.

Russia's reaction to Ukraine's request for Tomahawk missiles is not surprising. In the past, Moscow has warned against further expansion of military aid to Kiev, especially in the context of Ukraine's attempts to acquire advanced weapons. Putin's threat comes at a time when the Ukrainian military is showing increasing resolve to counter Russian military operations in the east and south of the country. Western support, including the supply of advanced equipment and weapons, is crucial to Ukraine's ability to continue its resistance.

The Ukrainian government has not yet commented on Putin's words, but has clearly declared that it continues to seek to provide the necessary military assistance to protect its sovereignty. This has been compounded by increasingly strong Western support, which includes not only military assistance but also diplomatic efforts to impose sanctions on Russia. Given the current developments in Ukraine and in the international political environment, the issue of the supply of Tomahawk missiles remains one of the key points of tension between Russia and the United States.

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