Moscow Warns of ‘Serious Escalation’ if U.S. Sends Tomahawks, Pledges Reply to EU Curbs
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The Kremlin said Tuesday it was awaiting clear signals from Washington on a possible U.S. supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, while also warning that Russia would respond to any move by the European Union to restrict the travel of its diplomats.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Moscow needed “clearer statements” after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had “sort of made a decision” on whether to provide the long-range missiles to Kyiv. Trump said he wanted to know Ukraine’s intentions for the Tomahawks before proceeding, stressing he did not wish to escalate the conflict with Russia.
Peskov noted that under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, Washington typically announced weapons deliveries to Ukraine only after they had already been made. He underscored the gravity of the issue, saying Tomahawks were “missiles that could also be nuclear-capable,” calling the prospect of their transfer “a serious round of escalation.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in remarks published Sunday that U.S. delivery of Tomahawks to Ukraine would destroy Moscow’s relationship with Washington. The missiles, with a range of about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), could allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow.
Separately, Peskov warned that Russia would craft an “appropriate response” if the European Union moves ahead with a plan to limit the movement of Russian diplomats across the bloc.
EU diplomats told Reuters that member states were nearing agreement on a measure requiring Russian envoys to notify authorities before traveling between EU countries, allowing governments to deny entry if desired.
“Well, of course there will be a response,” Peskov said. “Our diplomatic service will formulate proposals, and they will be implemented.” He accused European nations of “reviving their skills in erecting new dividing walls.”
The twin issues underscore rising tensions between Moscow and the West, with Russia cautioning against further Western military support for Ukraine while decrying what it sees as deepening diplomatic isolation within Europe.
