MOSCOW – In a stark escalation of rhetorical brinkmanship, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a grave warning on Monday, stating that any U.S. decision to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would be a “fateful step” that “could end badly for everyone, especially U.S. President Donald Trump.”
Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and has positioned himself as a leading hardline voice, used the Telegram messaging app to deliver the threat. His comments came in direct response to Trump’s statement on Sunday, in which the presidential candidate suggested he might provide Kyiv with the long-range missiles if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not end the war in Ukraine.
The Core of the Threat: Ambiguity and Escalation
Central to Medvedev’s warning is the issue of strategic ambiguity. He emphasized a critical military reality that Russian officials, including Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, have repeatedly stressed: once launched, it is impossible for air defense systems to distinguish between a conventionally-armed Tomahawk missile and one carrying a nuclear warhead.
“How should Russia respond? Exactly!” Medvedev wrote, in a clear and deliberate hint that Moscow would be forced to consider any incoming Tomahawk as a potential nuclear strike, warranting a nuclear response. This posture is rooted in Russia’s official nuclear doctrine, which allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to threats to the state’s existence, including attacks with conventional weapons that have strategic nuclear-capable platforms.
Trump’s Provocative Offer
The immediate catalyst for Medvedev’s statement was an interview Trump gave on Sunday, where he was asked about the possibility of providing Ukraine with Tomahawks. “Yeah, I might tell him (Putin), if the war is not settled, we may very well do it,” Trump said. “We may not, but we may do it… Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so.”
The Tomahawk is a game-changing weapon in the context of the Ukraine war. With a range of approximately 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), it could theoretically strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including military bases, command centers, and even Moscow itself—capabilities that Ukrainian forces currently lack.
A Pattern of Confrontational Exchanges
Medvedev dismissed Trump’s remarks as potentially “another empty threat,” drawing a parallel to a previous incident. He alluded to Trump’s claim in August that he had ordered two U.S. nuclear-powered submarines to move closer to Russia in response to what he called “highly provocative” comments from Medvedev himself about the risk of war.
This latest exchange underscores the volatile and personal nature of the rhetoric between the two figures, even as Trump remains a private citizen. It also highlights how the prospect of a second Trump presidency is viewed with deep apprehension in Moscow, despite his past calls for a negotiated settlement.
The Kremlin’s Stance: A “Red Line”
President Putin has consistently framed the provision of certain long-range Western weapons to Ukraine as crossing a “red line.” The Kremlin has stated that supplying Tomahawks would “destroy what remains of Russia-U.S. relations” and fundamentally alter the nature of the conflict, bringing the U.S. and Russia closer to a direct confrontation.
The Biden administration has thus far declined to provide ATACMS missiles with a similar range to the Tomahawk, reflecting concerns over escalation. Medvedev’s statement is a blunt attempt to reinforce this perceived red line and deter any future U.S. administration, whether under Trump or Biden, from taking such a step. The threat serves as a chilling reminder that in the high-stakes calculus of the Ukraine war, the risk of a catastrophic miscalculation remains ever-present.
Support Dawat Media Center
If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our journalism and sustains our future. Support the Dawat Media Center from as little as $/€10 – it only takes a minute. If you can, please consider supporting us with a regular amount each month. Thank you
DNB Bank AC # 0530 2294668
Account for international payments: NO15 0530 2294 668
Vipps: #557320
Support Dawat Media Center
If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our journalism and sustains our future. Support the Dawat Media Center from as little as $/€10 – it only takes a minute. If you can, please consider supporting us with a regular amount each month. Thank you
DNB Bank AC # 0530 2294668
Account for international payments: NO15 0530 2294 668
Vipps: #557320
Comments are closed.