Putin’s warning to the US

The relationship between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is starting to show cracks. From the meetings in Alaska, where it looked as if steps might be taken toward ending the war in Ukraine, things have shifted to a total freeze in the process and the Kremlin’s refusal to engage with Zelenskyy. In response, the United States announced last Sunday the possibility of sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. “It’s what’s best for our interests,” said U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Putin, who makes no secret of his desire to maintain good relations with the White House, responded to that announcement on Thursday. “This would mark a qualitatively new stage of escalation and could even affect relations between the United States and Russia,” the Russian president said at a foreign policy forum in Sochi, the city where he also keeps one of his vacation homes. Putin stressed that Russia is gradually gaining ground against Ukraine and insisted that Tomahawk missiles “will not change the balance of power on the battlefield.”

Even so, despite JD Vance’s remarks, it remains unclear whether the United States could actually send the missiles to Ukraine because of inventory issues. The current stock is allocated to the U.S. Navy, according to an official cited by Reuters, who judged it “unlikely” that Tomahawks—capable of a 1,550-mile range—would be sent.

U.S. considers giving Ukraine intelligence

What does appear certain is a shift in U.S. policy toward the Kremlin. The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported that the White House is prepared to provide Ukraine with intelligence to target sites inside Russia, particularly energy infrastructure. Ukraine already has a strategic plan to systematically strike Russian oil refineries. Estimates put the success rate at more than 50 percent.

Moscow showed far less surprise at this development. “The United States regularly transmits intelligence to Ukraine over the internet. The use of all NATO and U.S. infrastructure to collect and pass intelligence to the Ukrainians is obvious,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov with a note of irony.

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