Fri Oct 03 00:47:10 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewrite as a news article, keeping in mind the requested Indian perspective, date, and source:
**Summary:**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States that supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would severely damage US-Russia relations and escalate the conflict, though he believes it won’t change the battlefield situation. He simultaneously praised former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace efforts in Ukraine. Putin also issued a stern warning against any attempts to seize Russian oil tankers, calling it piracy with potentially forceful consequences. He dismissed claims of Russian drone involvement over Denmark. He commented on the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk as a symptom of division in the USA, and talked about an American that he gave a medal to who died in the Ukraine war.
**News Article:**
**The Hindu: World Affairs – View From India**
**Putin Warns U.S. on Missile Supply to Ukraine, Praises Trump’s Peace Efforts**
*Moscow, October 3, 2025* – Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a strong warning to the United States regarding the potential supply of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, stating that such a move would represent a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” in already strained relations. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin asserted that while the missiles could inflict damage, they would not ultimately alter the balance of power on the battlefield, where he claims Russian forces are steadily advancing.
“It will certainly not change the balance of force on the battlefield,” Putin added, emphasising that the Russian military is continuously making gains against Ukraine.
Significantly, alongside the warning, Putin also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate peace in Ukraine, recalling their summit in Alaska as “productive.” This seemingly contradictory stance highlights Russia’s complex view of the U.S., potentially seeing a difference between the current administration and a past one more aligned with Russian interests.
The Russian President reserved equally strong words for any attempts to seize Russian oil tankers, describing such actions as “piracy” that could provoke a “forceful response” and severely destabilize the global oil market. This warning comes amidst concerns about Russia’s “shadow fleet” evading Western sanctions.
Mr. Putin also scoffed at Western claims of possible Russian involvement in recent drone flights over Denmark, casting them as part of purported NATO efforts to “inflame tensions to boost the defense spending.”
Putin addressed the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, calling it a “heinous crime” that reflected a “deep split in American society. He hailed Kirk as a hero killed for promoting the same conservative values that Russia shares.
Mr. Putin also praised Michael Gloss, an American and the son of a deputy CIA chief, who joined the Russian military and was killed in action in Ukraine in 2024. He said he had awarded Gloss with a medal, which he handed to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff during his visit to Moscow.
**Analysis from an Indian Perspective:**
These statements by President Putin come at a crucial time. India, with its historically strong ties to Russia and its increasing strategic partnership with the U.S., finds itself in a delicate position. The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine presents challenges to India’s foreign policy. The Indian government has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis. India’s perspective on the conflict is shaped by its own experience with border disputes and its commitment to multilateralism. New Delhi will be carefully watching how Washington and Moscow navigate this new escalation to avoid a broader conflict with global consequences.
First Piper 