Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning about the possibility of the United States supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. He said such a move would cause serious damage to Moscow-Washington relations, but would not lead to major changes on the battlefield.

Speaking at a forum of international foreign policy experts in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin said the delivery of the US Tomahawk cruise missile into Ukraine would push Russia-US relations to a qualitatively new level. But he said Russia’s military would soon adapt its air defence systems to new threats.

“These missiles can cause some damage, but they will not change the balance of forces on the battlefield,” Putin said. He said the Russian military was still making slow but steady progress and that its position in the war was strengthening.

We are fighting the NATO bloc

“We are fighting not just Ukraine, but the entire NATO alliance,” Putin said, referring to what some Western analysts have derided as “paper tigers” for failing to defeat its tiny neighbour Ukraine after more than three-and-a-half years of war. We are moving ahead with confidence. If someone says that Russia is a ‘paper tiger’, then go and show yourself how to deal with that ‘paper tiger’. ’

Meanwhile, a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia had been damaged economically and diplomatically by Putin’s repeated rejection of a peace deal that favored his own interests.

praises of the summit with Trump

Putin praised the “productive” summit with US President Donald Trump in Alaska in August. He said it was a “good feeling” to be able to talk to Trump about possible ways to resolve the crisis.

He also reiterated his proposal to extend the 2010 New START treaty for one more year until it expires in February. The treaty limits both the United States and Russia to more than 1,550 deployed nuclear weapons and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.

“If the United States doesn’t need it, we don’t need it either,” Putin said. ’

Oil tankers, ‘piracy’ and snipe at France

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Putin called the attempt by Western countries supporting Ukraine to crack down on tankers carrying Russian oil as “piracy”. He warned that such a move would not only destabilize the global oil market but also provoke a strong response.

Asked about the breakdown of an oil tanker off France’s Atlantic coast, he took aim at French President Emmanuel Macron, saying that Macron was doing this to divert attention from his internal problems. He sarcastically compared Macron to Napoleon.

Denmark drone incident and mockery of NATO accusation

Putin dismissed the recent sighting of unidentified drones over Danish skies and accusations by other European countries as “NATO’s efforts to increase defence spending and escalate tensions”.

Last month, there were reports of a swarm of Russian drones being spotted in Poland, Russian warplanes crossing the border in Estonia, and unidentified drones in countries including Denmark and Germany. Western officials have described it as a strategy to test Russia’s response to NATO.

But Putin dismissed such claims as “foolish” and said that “we are watching the militarization of Europe very carefully.” If necessary, Russia’s retaliatory action will not be delayed. ’

Assassination of Charlie Kirk and Putin’s Response

Asked about the murder of American politician Charlie Kirk, Putin called it a “heinous crime” and said it was a reflection of the deep divisions within American society. He praised Kirk, portraying him as a hero who fought for traditional values.

He also remembered Michael Gloss, the son of a former CIA deputy chief, who was killed while fighting in Ukraine in 2024. Gloss said the medal was presented to the family by Trump’s envoy, Steve Wittoff.

“Gloss gave his life as a soldier in Russia, defending traditional values, and Kirk died fighting for the same values within the United States. They are heroes with the same purpose,” Putin said.

“Michael’s death is being treated as a private family matter and will not be made a national security issue,” the CIA said in a statement.

Putin’s satirical joke

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During the four-hour live session, Putin jokingly referred to himself as “CIA director” as he recalled meetings with US President George W Bush and his administration officials in the past.