Putin warns Trump that Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would damage ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned US President Donald Trump that potential transfers of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would cause substantial damage to relations between Moscow and Washington. The warning came during an extensive phone conversation between the two leaders that focused heavily on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and potential pathways to its resolution.

Putin's Position on Weapons Transfers

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin reiterated during the call that "Tomahawk missiles will not change the situation on the battlefield, but will cause significant damage to relations between our countries, not to mention the prospects for a peaceful settlement." The Russian leader provided Trump with what Ushakov described as a "detailed assessment of the current situation" in Ukraine, asserting that Moscow maintains "complete strategic initiative" along the front lines.

Substantive and Frank Discussion

Ushakov characterized the nearly 150-minute conversation as "very substantive, yet also extremely frank and confidential," indicating both the importance and sensitivity of the topics discussed. The extensive duration and substantive nature of the dialogue suggests both leaders invested significant effort in communicating their respective positions on the Ukraine conflict and broader bilateral relations between their nations.

Economic Incentives and Summit Planning

Trump reportedly emphasized to Putin that resolving the Ukraine conflict would create what he described as "enormous prospects for developing economic cooperation between the United States and Russia." The two leaders also discussed the possibility of holding another face-to-face meeting and agreed that their representatives would immediately begin preparations for a potential summit, with Budapest, Hungary, mentioned as a possible venue for such talks.