Putin Warns US Plans Tomahawk Missile Aid To Ukraine Will Damage Moscow-Washington Relations

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify as Russia increases its military operations in northern Ukraine, particularly in the Kharkiv region, aiming to capture strategic areas such as Donetsk. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States that supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would escalate tensions to a "qualitatively new stage," potentially damaging Moscow-Washington relations but not altering the battlefield dynamics, as Russian air defenses would adapt. Despite these warnings, Putin praised U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to negotiate peace, describing their recent summit as productive and expressing comfort with their dialogue. Putin also issued a stern warning to Western allies against seizing Russian oil tankers, labeling such actions as piracy that could provoke a forceful Russian response and destabilize global energy markets. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to carry out drone strikes inside Russia, causing energy disruptions, and Western support, including potential intelligence sharing and military aid, remains a critical factor in the ongoing conflict. The war shows no signs of abating, with failed ceasefire attempts and complex demands complicating prospects for resolution.