Moscow – President Vladimir Putin has drawn a clear red line for the United States, explicitly labeling the potential supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine as a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” with grave consequences for international relations.
The Russian leader’s rationale, presented to his military chiefs, is that the technical operation of these missiles would be “impossible” without the direct participation of U.S. military personnel. This, in the Kremlin’s view, would be a direct act of war by Washington and would “destroy” their diplomatic ties.
This severe warning was delivered in the context of claimed Russian military success. Putin announced that his forces had taken control of almost 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory this year, thereby securing the “complete strategic initiative.”
While Russia focused on the threat of advanced weaponry, Ukraine has uncovered a different kind of threat. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleges that Russia is using its oil tanker fleet to conduct espionage and sabotage missions.
Zelenskyy expressed his determination to thwart this strategy. He revealed that Ukraine is working with its international partners on the issue, stating with conviction that “it is entirely possible to stop this.”