Russia’s Fury: Putin Unleashes Scathing Attack on Trump, Warns NATO of ‘Dangerous Escalation’
- Russian President Vladimir Putin slams US President Donald Trump’s ‘paper tiger’ comment, saying it’s a ‘laughable’ notion
- Putin warns NATO that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would trigger a ‘qualitatively new stage of escalation’
- Russia’s leader claims his country is ‘advancing’ in Ukraine, despite Western leaders’ claims of a stalled invasion
In a fiery speech at the Valdai Discussion Group in Sochi, Putin lashed out at Trump’s recent comments, saying: “A paper tiger. What follows then? Go and deal with this paper tiger.” The Russian leader’s scathing attack came after Trump labelled Russia a ‘paper tiger’ during his address to the United Nations last week.
Putin also issued a stark warning to NATO, saying that if the alliance supplies Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, it would be a ‘dangerous new escalation’ that would draw in American military personnel. “It is impossible to use Tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel,” Putin warned. “This will mean a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States.”
The Russian president’s comments came as he claimed that Russian forces were making gains in Ukraine, despite Western leaders’ assertions that the invasion has stalled. Putin said that NATO countries were providing Ukraine with intelligence, weapons, and training, but that Russia was still advancing. “If anyone still has a desire to compete with us in the military sphere, as we say, feel free, let them try,” Putin taunted. “Russia’s countermeasures will not be long in coming.”
Putin’s speech was the latest salvo in an escalating war of words between Russia and the West. The Russian leader has been accused of launching an imperial-style land grab in Ukraine, but he claims that his country is simply defending its interests. “We simply cannot ignore what is happening,” Putin said. “We have no right to do so for reasons of our own security. I repeat, our defence and safety.”
The situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The US has so far not announced any decision on supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, but Putin’s warning has raised the stakes in the conflict.