{"id":489642,"date":"2025-10-11T00:19:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T00:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/489642\/"},"modified":"2025-10-11T00:19:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T00:19:26","slug":"tomahawks-for-ukraine-talk-elicits-new-response-from-putin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/489642\/","title":{"rendered":"Tomahawks For Ukraine Talk Elicits New Response From Putin"},"content":{"rendered":"

The TWZ Newsletter<\/p>\n

Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.<\/p>\n

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday <\/strong>offered his latest take on the prospect of Ukraine receiving Tomahawk Land Attack cruise missiles<\/a> (TLAMs) from the United States. During a press conference, the Russian leader also hinted that his country would soon introduce a new nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n

Asked his response to whether the U.S. is using the provision of Tomahawks to Ukraine as a bargaining chip in the sputtering peace talks, the Russian leader offered a terse answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur response is strengthening the air defense system of the Russian Federation,\u201d Putin explained. He offered no further details. After nearly four years of war and Ukraine\u2019s expanded long-range attacks deep inside the country, drastically broadening the demand for counter-air systems, Russia\u2019s air defenses are already stretched very thin.<\/p>\n

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\ud83e\udd21Russia will respond to Ukraine’s threats to strike with Tomahawks by strengthening its air defense system, Putin says. pic.twitter.com\/3B572dZwVE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 \ud83e\ude96MilitaryNewsUA\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@front_ukrainian) October 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Putin\u2019s response today was far less vitriolic than what he said earlier in the week about these weapons.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will lead to the destruction of our relations, or at least the positive trends that have emerged in these relations,\u201d Putin said in a video clip released on Sunday<\/a> by Russian state television reporter Pavel Zarubin.<\/p>\n

Putin on Friday seemingly changed his tone. He suggested that the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine<\/a> between him and Trump that took place during their Alaska meeting in August are indeed ongoing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you see, we did not reveal what exactly was discussed during the Anchorage meeting,\u201d Putin stated. \u201cWe said that there is a general understanding from the United States and an understanding of the Russian side about where we can move and what can be done to resolve this conflict through peaceful means, and those are not simple issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Russian leader said he and Trump both agreed to \u201cthink about this issue\u201d with their respective government officials.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a complicated set of questions that requires a thorough review, but we\u2019re still grounded in that discussion that took place in Anchorage,\u201d Putin explained. \u201cWe don\u2019t change anything here, and we still believe there is work to be done on all other sides, but we\u2019re still within the framework of the agreements reached in Alaska.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Putin said the results of the talks with President Trump in Alaska are assessed positively and remain in effect.<\/p>\n

“I would like to inform you in more detail on the results, which we generally assess positively, and, of course, our subsequent work on resolving the conflict in\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/BSNRPqZybI<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4HW70wOdls<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) October 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Trump is mulling allowing Kyiv to have TLAMs out of frustration with Russia\u2019s continued attacks on Ukraine and Putin\u2019s unwillingness to agree to a ceasefire. Earlier this week, Trump fanned speculation about this by saying he \u201csort of made a decision\u201d about selling some to NATO countries to distribute to Ukraine.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere they are sending them, I guess I will have to ask that question,\u201d Trump added. \u201cI would ask some questions. I am not looking to see an escalation.\u201d<\/p>\n

We reached out to the White House for comment about Putin\u2019s latest statement as well as the status of the Tomahawk decision and will update this story with any pertinent response.<\/p>\n

When it comes to escalation, Russian media earlier this week reported a suggestion that missiles be sent to Cuba should Ukraine get TLAMs. It comes in the wake of this week\u2019s ratification of a military cooperation treaty between Moscow and Havana.<\/p>\n

A \u201cmilitary expert\u201d told the official Russian news agency TASS<\/a> that Russia should consider sending Iskander operational-tactical missile systems<\/a> and the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile<\/a> systems to Cuba.<\/p>\n

\"\"A Russian think-tanker suggests that Moscow send Havana missiles like the Iskander. (Russian MoD) <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is about a symmetrical response to the potential supply of Tomahawks,\u201d said Alexander Stepanov, a military expert with the Institute of Law and National Security at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. \u201cThe ratified agreement maximally expands our military cooperation and allows, within the framework of bilateral interaction and in coordination with the government of the Republic of Cuba, to deploy virtually any offensive systems on the island\u2019s territory.\u201d<\/p>\n

We are awaiting a response to Stepanov\u2019s suggestion from the State Department.<\/p>\n

The prospect of Ukraine getting its hands on the Tomahawk, which can strike targets<\/a> at a range of almost 1,000 miles, carrying a 1,000-pound unitary warhead, has caused great jubilation in Kyiv, consternation in Moscow and raises real questions about how it would work. Ukraine does not possess the surface vessels, submarines or ground-based systems<\/a> that can fire them.<\/p>\n

There are multiple launcher options for ground-based Tomahawks now. These include four-round containerized launch systems derived from the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System that Lockheed Martin has developed<\/a> for the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. The U.S. Marine Corps had been in the process of acquiring<\/a> single-cell Mk 41-derived launchers mounted on uncrewed versions of the 4\u00d74 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, but announced plans to cancel that program earlier this year. Lockheed Martin has also at least shown models of a two-cell Mk 41-based ground launcher in the past, as well.<\/p>\n

\"\"A containerized Mk 41 vertical launch system that is already in use by the U.S. military could be sent to Ukraine for firing the TLAMs. (DoD) <\/p>\n

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has frequently requested TLAMs, Kyiv is producing its own long-range missiles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In August, Ukraine unveiled<\/a> a new ground-launched cruise missile, called Flamingo<\/a>, which reportedly has a range of 1,864 miles (3,000 kilometers) and a warhead weighing 2,535 pounds (1,150 kilograms).<\/p>\n

\"UkraineUkraine has been using Flamingo, a ground-launched long-range cruise missile, on Russian targets, Kyiv claims. (via Ukrainska Pravda) via Ukrainska Pravda<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, Ukraine showcased a new version <\/a>of its Neptune cruise missile<\/a>, which appears to have added fuel tank \u2018bulges\u2019 for increased range; however, how far the missile can reach and with what kind of payload is unclear.<\/p>\n

\"UkraineUkraine has unveiled a new version of its Neptune cruise missile, which appears to have added fuel tank \u2018bulges\u2019 for increased range. (Denys Shmyhal\/Ukrainian Ministry of Defense) Denys Shmyhal\/Ukrainian Ministry of Defense<\/p>\n

Zelensky claimed that both weapons have been used in tandem on unspecified Russian targets.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past week \u2014 I won\u2019t specify in what quantity \u2014 our pair of Neptune and Flamingo missiles was used,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cThe corresponding results can be analyzed independently. We\u2019re not saying it\u2019s a mass deployment of this pair. We\u2019re simply saying there has been use, and there are the first tangible results from this weapon of ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Zelensky offered no details, images emerged on social media claiming to be the remains of a Flamingo.<\/p>\n

Speaking of weapons, Putin also hinted that he will soon introduce a new strategic one.<\/p>\n

Asked about whether he is concerned if the U.S. fails to agree to an extension of a treaty limiting the number of nuclear warheads, Putin said it ultimately doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that in the nearest future, we\u2019ll have a chance to announce a new weapon,\u201d he said without offering any details. \u201cWe spoke about it before, but now the tests are ongoing, which are successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Putin once again provided no details. However, as we have reported in the past<\/a>, Russia is developing exotic weapons like a nuclear-powered cruise missile <\/a>and orbital nuclear weapons system<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Putin announced that Russia will soon reveal “new weapons”<\/p>\n

According to him, Moscow “is not afraid” of the U.S. refusing to extend the New START treaty \u2013 in that case, Russia will “announce its new weapons.”<\/p>\n

During his speech, Putin mentioned intercontinental missiles. pic.twitter.com\/9Akdkt2rOz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Visegr\u00e1d 24 (@visegrad24) October 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As of Friday afternoon, the question about whether the U.S. provides Ukraine with Tomahawks remains unanswered. So, too, are questions about how they will be used and what limits will be placed on the targets they can hit. Meanwhile, the two sides continue to pummel each other with the weapons they have.<\/p>\n

Joseph Trevithick contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

Update: 6:38 PM Eastern \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State Department provided a comment about suggestions that Russia would send missiles to Cuba:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor decades, Cuba has posed a national security threat to both our nation and our hemisphere. \u00a0A recently signed military agreement between Cuba and Russia is another reckless step. \u00a0We strongly oppose any modern military systems being sent to Cuba be they from Russia, China, Iran, or others. \u00a0Under our America First foreign policy, we will ensure the safety of the American people.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com<\/p>\n

Howard is a Senior Staff Writer for The War Zone, and a former Senior Managing Editor for Military Times. Prior to this, he covered military affairs for the Tampa Bay Times as a Senior Writer. Howard’s work has appeared in various publications including Yahoo News, RealClearDefense, and Air Force Times.<\/p>\n

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