MOSCOW, Russia – Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that the supply of US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could have dire consequences for everyone.
Especially for US President Donald Trump.
Medvedev noted that it is not possible to distinguish between conventional Tomahawk missiles and those equipped with nuclear warheads once they are launched.
In a post on Telegram, Medvedev asked: “How should Russia respond? Exactly!”.
In what appeared to be a hint that Moscow’s response would be nuclear.
From aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump warned Russia of the possibility of sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This would occur if Moscow does not end the war in Ukraine soon.
He indicated that he might be prepared to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. This could be done by using a substantial weapons system.
“I might say to them, ‘Look, if this war doesn’t end, I’m going to send them Tomahawk missiles,'” the US president told reporters aboard Air Force One as he headed to Israel. “The Tomahawk is an amazing weapon, and a very offensive weapon,” he added. Frankly, Russia does not need that.
He continued: “I might tell them that if the war is not over – we might do it – we might not, but we might do it”. I think it’s appropriate to bring it up.”
Trump’s comments came after he spoke by phone earlier on Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The US President said he mentioned the possibility of sending Tomahawk missiles during that conversation.
“Do they want to see Tomahawk missiles go that way?” Trump said of Russia I don’t think so.”
“I think I might talk to Russia about that,” he added. He continued: “Tomahawk missiles are a new step of aggression”.
Putin himself had previously indicated that the United States’ supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine would seriously harm relations between Moscow and Washington.
For his part, Zelensky described his recent call with Trump as “very fruitful”.
He said the two discussed strengthening Ukraine’s “air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities.” They also talked about “details related to the energy sector.”
