Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the United States on October 23 that its intent to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would trigger a strong, potentially overwhelming response.
Response to US‑Supplied Tomahawk Missiles
During a press briefing after the XVII Congress of the Russian Geographical Society, Putin replied that any delivery of Tomahawk missiles for use against Russian targets would elicit “a very serious, if not overwhelming, response.” He urged the United States to consider the consequences carefully. He noted that former President Donald Trump had not yet finalized the decision and criticized the US for allegedly lacking the necessity and training capability for foreign operators, adding that it takes at least six months to learn how to use them.
US Sanctions on Russia
Putin criticized the United States for imposing a new package of sanctions against Moscow, calling them “unfriendly” and saying they do not strengthen US‑Russian relations. He stated that no respectable country or nation would act in such a manner, and argued that sanctions would not significantly damage Russia’s economy. He also reminded that during Trump’s first term considerably more sanctions were imposed on Russia.
Potential US‑Russia Cooperation
Putin suggested that many areas exist for cooperation between Russia and the United States, provided the focus shifts from pressure to dialogue. He said that if the two sides move toward serious discussions about the future—including economic cooperation—there are numerous avenues for joint work, depending on both parties.
