Accra: Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued a warning to the United States about a potential escalation in the conflict, if Washington gives Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles. He said the deployment of such weapons would mean US military involvement, he told the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday.

According to Ghana News Agency, Putin described the situation as dangerous, highlighting the power of the weapon and its potential to harm Russia. He noted that while the introduction of these missiles would not alter the balance of power on the battlefield in the Ukraine war, it could strain relations between Russia and the US, and lead to a 'qualitatively new stage of escalation.'

He also said Russia would enhance its air defence systems to intercept these missiles, as it had done with ATACMS attacks. Putin's comments came in response to media reports suggesting that the US, is contemplating supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine to facilitate strikes deep within Russia's interior.

Ukraine is using these attacks to defend itself against the full-scale Russian invasion, launched by Moscow more than three and a half years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been calling for missiles with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometres, reportedly discussed this matter with US President Donald Trump last week, during the UN General Assembly. At the time, after the meeting, Trump said Ukraine has the opportunity to reclaim territories occupied by Russia.