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| Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he answers questions during a meeting with foreign policy experts at the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) |
Speaking at a forum of international foreign policy experts in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin said the potential U.S. supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv would signal a "new, qualitative stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States."
The Russian leader noted that while Tomahawk missiles would inflict damage on Russia if provided to Ukraine, Russia's air defense systems would quickly adapt to the new threat. "It certainly wouldn't change the balance of forces on the battlefield," he added, insisting that the Russian military is consistently gaining the upper hand.
When asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's "paper tiger" comment—a reference to Russia's inability to defeat its smaller neighbor after more than three and a half years of fighting—Putin countered that Russia has been facing the full might of NATO allies backing Kyiv.
"We are fighting against the entire NATO bloc and we keep moving forward, moving forward and feeling confident," he said. "Are we a paper tiger? Then what is NATO? Another paper tiger? Well, go deal with this paper tiger then."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Putin's remarks.
Praise for Trump, Offer on Nuclear Treaty
At the same time, Putin welcomed President Trump's efforts to facilitate peace negotiations and described their August summit in Alaska as productive. "It's good that we made an effort to look for and find possible ways of settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," he said, adding that he felt "at ease" speaking with Trump.
Putin also reaffirmed his offer to the United States for a one-year extension of their last remaining nuclear arms control pact, the New START treaty, which is set to expire in February. The 2010 treaty limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.
"If they don't need it, we don't need it either," he said, adding, "we feel confident about our nuclear shield."
Harsh Warnings on 'Piracy' and Drone Intrusions
While praising Trump, Putin sent a stern warning to Ukraine's Western allies against any attempts to seize Russian oil tankers. He argued such actions would be tantamount to piracy and could provoke a forceful response, while also dramatically destabilizing global oil markets. When asked about the seizure of a tanker off the Atlantic coast of France, which French President Emmanuel Macron linked to Russia's "shadow fleet," Putin mocked the French leader, comparing him to Napoleon and accusing him of trying to distract from domestic problems.
"It's piracy, and how do you deal with pirates? You just have to destroy them," Putin said forcefully.
He also scoffed at Western accusations regarding recent drone flights over Denmark, dismissing them as part of a NATO effort to "whip up tensions to ramp up defense spending." Last month, alleged Russian intrusions into NATO airspace reached an unprecedented scale, with swarms of drones flying into Poland and unidentified drones spotted over Denmark, Germany, and other nations. European defense ministers have agreed to build a "drone wall" to better detect and intercept such aircraft. Putin dismissed Western claims of aggressive Russian plans as "drivel" intended to distract the public from domestic issues.
"We are closely watching the growing militarization in Europe," he said. "Are these just words or is it time for us to take countermeasures? No one should doubt that Russia's countermeasures will follow shortly."
Comments on U.S. Politics and Culture
When asked about the assassination of American conservative figure Charlie Kirk, Putin called it a "heinous crime" that reflected "deep divisions" in American society. He praised Kirk as a hero who had died promoting conservative values that Russia shares.
In a striking moment, Putin also praised Michael Gloss, an American and the son of a former CIA deputy director, who joined the Russian military and was killed in action in Ukraine in 2024. Putin said he had awarded Gloss a medal posthumously, which he passed to Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, during a visit to Moscow.
The Russian leader drew a parallel between Gloss and Kirk, saying they both stood for similar "traditional" values. "He gave his life defending those values as a Russian soldier, and Kirk gave his life fighting for the same values in the United States," Putin said.
In response to questions about Gloss, the CIA said in a statement that the agency "considers Michael's passing a private family matter not a matter of national security. The entire CIA family grieves their loss."
At one point during the four-hour televised event, Putin, a former KGB officer, misspoke and referred to himself as the "CIA director" while describing a meeting with former President George W. Bush. "Future director," Putin quipped to the laughter of the audience.