Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called the killing of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk a “heinous crime” and said it reflected what he described as a “deep split” in American society, even as he issued new warnings to Washington over Ukraine and praised President Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate peace.
Speaking at a forum of foreign policy experts in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin devoted part of his remarks to U.S. politics, describing Kirk as a “hero” who was targeted for defending conservative values. He likened Kirk to Michael Gloss, the son of a senior CIA official who joined the Russian military and was killed in Ukraine last year. Putin said he posthumously awarded Gloss a medal, which was delivered to Trump envoy Steve Witkoff during his recent visit to Moscow.
“He gave his life while defending those values as a Russian soldier, and Kirk gave his life while fighting for the same values in the United States,” Putin said. He added that Kirk’s assassination revealed “a deep split” within America and underscored how ideological divides are shaping political violence.
Putin’s comments appeared designed to cast Russia as an ally of American conservatives at a time when U.S. domestic politics remain polarized. “Kirk was a hero killed for promoting the same conservative values that Russia shares,” Putin said, framing the activist’s death as part of a wider cultural conflict in the West.
While addressing U.S. politics, Putin also weighed in on the war in Ukraine, warning that any U.S. decision to supply long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv would mark a “qualitatively new stage of escalation.” Such a move, he said, would “seriously damage relations between Russia and the U.S.” but would not alter the battlefield. “It will certainly not change the balance of force,” he said, stressing that Russia’s military continues to make steady advances.
At the same forum, Putin praised Trump for his role in peace talks, describing their August summit in Alaska as “productive” and saying he felt “comfortable” working with him. “It was good that we made an attempt to search for and find possible ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis,” he said.
The Russian leader also turned his attention to global energy disputes, warning Western nations against seizing Russian oil tankers. He said the detention of an aging vessel off the French coast — which President Emmanuel Macron linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet — amounted to an effort to distract from domestic problems in France. Any such seizures, Putin warned, would be considered piracy and could destabilize the global oil market. “The risk of confrontation will seriously increase,” he said.
Putin dismissed Western accusations that Russia was behind drone flights over Denmark, characterizing them as NATO attempts to stir tensions and drive up defense spending.
The CIA, responding to questions about Gloss, said in a statement it regarded his death as a “private family matter — and not a national security issue,” adding: “The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their loss.”
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.