Russian president Vladimir Putin has said it is ‘impossible to believe” that Moscow wants a war with Nato nations.
Putin said that while Europe’s “ruling elites” have warned a war with Russia is near, it is “impossible to believe” as it will run against Russia’s security interests. He was speaking yesterday at the Valdai Discussion Club, a forum of Russia experts, in the city of Sochi.
Putin has also warned Donald Trump that if he provides Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles it would be a “new stage of escalation”.
US vice president JD Vance said on Sunday that Washington was considering a Ukrainian request to obtain long-range Tomahawks that could reach targets deep into Russia, including Moscow.
"Using Tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel is impossible. This would mark a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States,” Putin said.
It comes as the US is set to provide Ukraine with intelligence to carry out long-range strikes on energy infrastructure targets inside Russia, according to reports.
Key Points
- Putin warns Trump of escalation if US gives Kyiv Tomahawk missiles
- US to provide Ukraine intelligence for strikes on Russian energy targets - report
- Power restored at Chornobyl after 16-hour outage, says IAEA
- Russia denies blaze at oil refinery was caused by Ukraine drone attack
- Zelensky warns of 'emergency' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Power being restored in Ukraine's northern districts after Russian attacks
04:05 , Arpan RaiEmergency crews were gradually restoring power to areas of northern Ukraine disconnected from the grid by Russian attacks, Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.
A drone attack on Slavutych on Wednesday knocked out power to the Chornobyl station for three hours, including the new containment vessel erected in 2016 to keep radiation from leaking.
The fourth reactor at the Chornobyl plant exploded in 1986 in the world's worst civil nuclear disaster.
Svyrydenko said power had been fully restored in two areas of the border Sumy region hit by overnight Russian attacks.
Repairs were also proceeding in the neighbouring Chernihiv region, where more than 300,000 consumers had been left without power after Russian strikes on Wednesday.
In the northern town of Slavutych, adjacent to the decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear power station, Svyrydenko said critical infrastructure sites were back on the grid and crews hoped to restore power soon to the rest of the town.
Putin hails Alaska summit and says he felt 'comfortable' with Trump
03:52 , Arpan RaiVladimir Putin has hailed Donald Trump's efforts to help negotiate peace in Ukraine and described their August summit in Alaska as productive.
"It was good that we made an attempt to search for and find possible ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis," he said, adding that he felt "comfortable" talking to Trump.
Putin also reaffirmed his offer to the US to extend their last remaining nuclear arms control pact for one more year after it expires in February.
The 2010 New START treaty limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.
"If they don't need it, we don't need it either," he said, adding that "we feel confident about our nuclear shield."
While praising Trump and trying to emphasize potential common interests, the Russian president sent a stern warning to Ukraine's Western allies against trying to seize ships that carry Russian oil to global markers.
He argued that would amount to piracy and could trigger a forceful response while sharply destabilising the global oil market.
Putin dismisses Trump's 'paper tiger' remark
03:44 , Arpan RaiAsked about Donald Trump dismissing Russia as a "paper tiger" because of its failure to defeat its smaller neighbour after more than three and a half years of fighting, Vladimir Putin argued that Russia has faced all the Nato allies backing Kyiv.
“We are fighting against the entire bloc of Nato and we keep moving, keep advancing and feel confident and we are a paper tiger; what Nato itself is?" he said.
“A paper tiger? Go and deal with this paper tiger then.”
France urges tougher action against Russia, saying drones should be shot down and oil ships stopped
03:00 , Joe MiddletonEurope must take a more aggressive approach with Russia by shooting down drones that enter European airspace and boarding shadow fleet ships illicitly transporting oil to deprive Moscow of war revenue, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.
Speaking at a European summit in Copenhagen, Macron and other European leaders called for more sanctions against Russia — notably targeting its energy sector — and emphasized that Ukraine is on the front line in a widening hybrid war against Europe.
Macron urged the more than 40 leaders at the European Political Community summit to simply protect their interests without signaling their intentions to Russia.
France urges tougher action against Russia, saying drones should be shot down and oil ships stopped
Kyiv says Moscow preparing to connect Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to Russian grid
02:00 , Joe MiddletonUkraine accused Russia of deliberately cutting external power to the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and preparing to connect it to its own grid.
The plant, Europe’s largest, has relied on emergency diesel generators for over a week.
ICYMI: Locals rescued from cars and homes as flash floods turn deadly in Odesa
01:00 , Joe MiddletonEurope must take a more aggressive approach with Russia by shooting down drones that enter European airspace and boarding shadow fleet ships illicitly transporting oil to deprive Moscow of war revenue, French president Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.
Speaking at a European summit in Copenhagen, Macron and other European leaders called for more sanctions against Russia — notably targeting its energy sector — and emphasised that Ukraine is on the frontline in a widening hybrid war against Europe.
Macron urged the more than 40 leaders at the European Political Community summit to simply protect their interests without signalling their intentions to Russia.
“I think the main answer should be more unpredictability and more strategic ambiguity,” he said.
Read our full story below.
France urges tougher action against Russia, saying drones should be shot down and oil ships stopped
EU pledges long-term support and tech aid for Ukraine
Thursday 2 October 2025 23:00 , Taz AliEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine, emphasising a commitment to stand with the country “today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes”.
In a statement on X, she announced plans for a new programme aimed at giving Ukraine a technological advantage on the battlefield.
Von der Leyen also highlighted ongoing efforts to secure Ukraine’s future as a full member of the EU, underscoring the bloc’s long-term strategic partnership.
Our goal remains a strong and free Ukraine.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 2, 2025
Russia needs to know that the EU and its partners have the will and the means to continue supporting Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved.
Soon, we will launch a new programme to give Ukraine the tech edge it needs on… pic.twitter.com/aRXJkJKqwl
Kremlin condemns France seizure of suspected Russian oil tanker as 'hysteria'
Thursday 2 October 2025 22:00 , Taz AliRussia condemned France’s seizure of a tanker suspected of carrying Russian oil as “hysteria”, warning it could disrupt global energy routes.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov questioned whether the oil was Russian and said such actions could create major problems for international energy transport.
"I don't know what kind of oil, what is the origin of this oil," Peskov told reporters on Thursday. "What if it's not Russian oil?
"What if France is going to create enormous problems for all the ways of international energy sources - what is going to happen?
"So I think it's all part this hysteria I mentioned before."
French authorities arrested the Chinese captain of the Boracay, a sanctioned vessel allegedly linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet”, after the French navy boarded the vessel anchored off western France.
The ship was approximately 50 nautical miles south of Copenhagen on 22 September when drone activity forced the closure of the Danish capital’s airport.
Poland reports Russian boat near pipeline amid sabotage fears
Thursday 2 October 2025 21:00 , Taz AliPolish border guards said they had spotted a Russian fishing boat acting suspiciously near a gas pipeline in Polish waters, amid anxiety over possible sabotage operations in the Baltic Sea.
The boat was seen on Wednesday near a gas pipeline belonging to Petrobaltic, a company that works in the area, 18 nautical miles north of the town of Wladyslawowo.
The vessel slowed down and came within 300 metres of the pipeline before sailing away after a radio alert, the Polish border guard said in a statement on Thursday.
The incident comes amid heightened concerns over possible sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea, where Nato countries are increasing protection of underwater infrastructure.
Putin warns Trump of escalation if US gives Kyiv Tomahawk missiles
Thursday 2 October 2025 20:43 , Joe MiddletonVladimir Putin has warned Donald Trump that if he provides Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles it would be a “new stage of escalation”.
US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that Washington was considering a Ukrainian request to obtain long-range Tomahawks that could reach targets deep into Russia, including Moscow.
Speaking on Thursday at the Valdai Discussion Club, a forum of Russia experts, in the city of Sochi, he said: "Using Tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel is impossible. This would mark a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States."
In recent weeks Mr Trump has sharply shifted how he talks about the war in Ukraine, suggesting Kyiv could retake all the land Russia has seized and calling the Russian military a "paper tiger."
Kremlin warns US over possible Tomahawk supply to Ukraine
Thursday 2 October 2025 20:00 , Taz AliThe Kremlin warned that US delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would trigger a serious escalation with the West.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Russia had seen the reports that the US was considering such a move, calling it “a new serious round of tension” that would “require an adequate response from the Russian side”.
He added that no weapon, including Tomahawks, would fundamentally change the course of the war.
US vice president JD Vance said on Sunday that Washington is considering Kyiv’s request for the missiles.
Zelensky meets European leaders to discuss defence, drone production and security guarantees
Thursday 2 October 2025 19:00 , Taz AliUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he met with the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany and Poland to discuss security cooperation and regional defence.
He called for a strong response to Russia’s airspace violations and said Ukraine is ready to boost production of drones, electronic warfare systems and other critical technologies.
I had a meeting with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen @Statsmin, President of France @EmmanuelMacron, @bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, and Prime Minister of Poland @donaldtusk.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 2, 2025
Russia’s violations of European airspace require an effective response. We are ready to ramp… pic.twitter.com/7RZGVxnVrH
Kyiv says Moscow preparing to connect Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to Russian grid
Thursday 2 October 2025 18:00 , Taz AliUkraine accused Russia of deliberately cutting external power to the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and preparing to connect it to its own grid.
The plant, Europe’s largest, has relied on emergency diesel generators for over a week.
Russia says conflict with West is no longer a Cold War but a 'fiery' confrontation
Thursday 2 October 2025 17:00 , Taz AliRussia has rejected comparisons to the Cold War, saying tensions with the West have escalated into a "fiery" conflict.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the EU and Nato are spreading false claims about Russian sabotage to justify increased military spending.
"I would disagree with the comparison with the Cold War," she told reporters on Thursday.
“We are already in another form of conflict. There has been no cold here for a long time; there is already fire here.”
The war in Ukraine has triggered the most serious stand-off between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, with Moscow accusing the West of provocations and interference, including drone incursions and sabotage claims.
Zakharova dismissed Western accusations of airspace violations and cyber attacks as fabrications, saying they signal preparations for provocations and are meant to defend rising defence budgets.
In pictures: Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war
Thursday 2 October 2025 16:20 , Taz AliRussia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war on Thursday.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said 185 military personnel, most of whom had been in Russian captivity since 2022, and 20 civilians were freed and brought home.
Since the war began, more than 7,000 Ukrainians have been released, Zelensky said on Telegram.
Russia's defence ministry said 185 of its soldiers and 20 civilians returned.
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Russian vessel spotted near Polish gas pipeline
Thursday 2 October 2025 15:50 , Taz AliPolish border guards spotted a Russian vessel near a gas pipeline in Polish waters on Wednesday, a government spokesperson said.
The 70-metre vessel was a fishing boat, and it complied with orders to move away from an area close to the gas pipeline, a Polish interior ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, without giving further details.
Russia appears to have upgraded its ballistic missiles used against Ukraine to bypass US-made Patriot air defence systems, according to a report.
The upgrades likely involve Russia’s Iskander-M and Kinzhal missiles, which have ranges of up to 500km and 480km respectively. These missiles follow a standard flight path before suddenly diving steeply, making interception by Patriot systems difficult, Ukrainian and Western officials told the Financial Times.
One former Ukrainian official described it as a “game-changer for Russia”.
Ukraine’s missile interception rate has dropped sharply in recent months, from 37 per cent in August to just 6 per cent in September, the FT reported, citing Ukrainian air force data.
Read our full story below.
Russia ‘using deadly new missile upgrade’ to bypass Ukrainian air defence systems
Poland to buy Amraam air to air missiles, minister says
Thursday 2 October 2025 14:51 , Daniel KeanePoland is set to buy Amraam air to air missiles for its F-35 jets, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Thursday.
"I urgently summoned the steering committee and it confirmed Poland's purchase of the latest air-to-air missiles for F-35 aircraft," he told journalists, adding Poland would sign relevant contractual obligations by December 10.
Zelensky confirms POW swap with Russia
Thursday 2 October 2025 14:20 , Daniel KeaneUkraine has brought home 185 service personnel and 20 civilians in the latest prisoner swap with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.
"Most have been in captivity since 2022, and now they are finally home," Zelensky said on the Telegram app, posting pictures of men wrapped in Ukrainian national blue and yellow flags.
“Since the start of Russia's invasion, Ukraine has brought home over 7,000 people,” he said.
Belgium says EU states must share risk to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
Thursday 2 October 2025 13:49 , Daniel KeaneBelgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has asked other EU leaders to guarantee they will share the risks if frozen Russian assets held in his country are used to finance loans to Ukraine.
At a summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday, European Union leaders expressed broad support for the idea of using Russian assets frozen in the West to provide a £122 billion loan to Ukraine.
International law forbids the confiscation of sovereign assets, so the EU would have to find a way to continue to recognise Moscow's claim on its central bank assets and to protect Belgium, where most of the assets are located, from Russian retaliation.
"There's no free money. There are always consequences," De Wever told reporters in Copenhagen on Thursday.
"I explained to my colleagues yesterday that I want their signature saying: 'If we take (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's money, we use it, we're all going to be responsible if it goes wrong'."
