Overview

• Speaking at the Valdai forum in Sochi, Vladimir Putin challenged NATO’s resolve after President Donald Trump labeled Russia a “paper tiger.”
• Putin said the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles from Ukrainian territory would necessitate U.S. military personnel, calling it a qualitatively new stage of escalation.
• He warned that Russian countermeasures would follow quickly if other countries seek to compete with Russia militarily.
• Putin dismissed claims that Russia plans to attack a NATO member, accusing the alliance of stoking hysteria while providing Kyiv with weapons, training, and intelligence.
• Reports that Washington may provide Tomahawks and intelligence support to Ukraine have not been confirmed, but Putin issued a direct caution against such steps.