Tensions between Moscow and Washington are reaching new heights as Russia warns U.S. President Donald Trump against authorizing the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. The warnings, reported by The Washington Post, are part of a calculated effort by the Kremlin to dissuade Trump from escalating Western military aid. Russia has repeatedly employed such tactics—blending threats, diplomacy, and public messaging—to influence U.S. and NATO decisions throughout the war. Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of striking targets up to 1,550 miles away, would give Ukraine the unprecedented ability to hit deep inside Russian territory, including strategic military sites far from the front lines.

The Kremlin’s intensified rhetoric reflects fears that the introduction of long-range weapons could tip the balance of the war—and potentially provoke direct confrontation with NATO. Moscow has previously responded to arms transfers with nuclear threats and expanded military operations, and similar reprisals could follow if Trump proceeds. Yet the dilemma is stark: sending the missiles risks triggering escalation, while backing down may embolden Russia and signal Western hesitation. As global observers watch closely, the standoff underscores how close the world is edging toward a wider, more dangerous conflict—one in which the next decision could determine whether the war stays regional or ignites something far greater.

SOURCE: The Washington Post