Putin Denies Russia Seeks War, But Warns Trump of Dangerous Escalation

 

Moscow: War Not in Our Interest

At the Valdai Forum in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted it is “impossible to believe” that Moscow truly wants war—especially with NATO—claiming such a conflict would run directly counter to Russia’s security goals. 

Yet he didn’t pull back from issuing a sharp warning to former U.S. President Donald Trump: if the U.S. supplies Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, it will trigger a “new stage of escalation.” 

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NEWS

Trump, Tomahawks & Tensions

Weapons, Not Words

Putin challenged the idea that the U.S. could send Tomahawks without direct military involvement, arguing that doing so would cross a line and inject fresh volatility into U.S.–Russia relations.

He painted the move as more than tactical—it would represent a qualitative shift in escalation, not just another weapons transfer.

The NATO “Paper Tiger” Retort

Adding to the tension, Putin struck back at claims that Russia is a fading power. He turned the term “paper tiger” back on NATO, questioning the alliance’s strength given its opposition. 

He also scoffed at concerns that Russia plans to strike NATO nations, dismissing such fears as “nonsense.”

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The Bigger Stakes

• If the U.S. sends long-range missiles to Ukraine, Putin believes it could erode diplomatic space and raise the risk of direct confrontation between superpowers.

• His denials of wanting war are calibrated to sound defensive and reasonable, but his warnings about escalation signal serious red lines.

• At the same time, rhetorical pressure on Trump and Western governments intensifies the psychological battlefield.