Russia has issued a grave “nuclear” alert, describing the current situation in the Ukraine conflict as a critical juncture. Former US President Donald Trump has cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin that if Moscow does not intensify efforts for peace, he might consider providing long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This provocation has sparked claims from Kremlin sources that such an action would represent a significant escalation, potentially enabling Ukraine to target deep into Russian territory, eliciting a strong response from the West.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has emphasized the escalating tensions, labeling the situation as “very dramatic” and expressing deep concern regarding the Tomahawk issue. Peskov hinted at Russia’s potential response by mentioning the deployment of older Tomahawk versions capable of carrying nuclear payloads. Highlighting the seriousness of the matter, Peskov posed questions about Russia’s reaction to a scenario involving a nuclear-capable missile launch.
The escalating crisis has been underscored by Russian state television reporting, with Kremlin-affiliated figures warning of a potential new Cuban Missile Crisis akin to the 1962 event if Tomahawk missiles are transferred to Ukraine. President Putin has cautioned that such an action would jeopardize his relationship with Trump, potentially derailing the positive momentum in their interactions. Meanwhile, Trump, en route to Israel, has warned Russia of the possibility of sending Tomahawks if the conflict persists, describing the missile as a potent offensive weapon that Russia does not need.
In response to these developments, Ukrainian President Zelensky has described his recent conversation with Trump as fruitful, focusing on bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities and discussing energy sector matters. Zelensky indicated that work is underway regarding the approval of Tomahawks during his exchange with Trump.