Trump warns Ukraine against hitting Moscow, denies pushing for strikes with U.S. long-range weapons.
Clarifies stance after leaked call with Zelenskyy, vows tough sanctions if no peace deal in 50 days.
United States President Donald Trump has cautioned Ukraine against targeting Moscow, following reports that he previously asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether Kyiv could strike Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg if supplied with long-range weapons.
Trump made the comments on Tuesday while addressing reporters at the White House, clarifying that the U.S. is “not looking” at providing Ukraine with missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory.
The clarification came in the wake of a report by ‘The Financial Times’, which cited two unnamed sources familiar with a July 4 phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy. According to the report, Trump allegedly queried the Ukrainian leader about the potential to hit Moscow and other major Russian cities if longer-range weapons were delivered.
While the report sparked significant concern, the White House attempted to downplay the implications. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump had asked the question but insisted it was taken out of context.
“President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing,” Leavitt said in statements shared with several U.S. media outlets, including ABC News and USA Today.
The exchange marks a notable development in Trump’s evolving stance on the Ukraine conflict. Since returning to office in January, he had often criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine as financially burdensome and accused Zelenskyy of prolonging hostilities with Russia.
However, Trump appeared to take a firmer position this week, announcing plans to supply Ukraine with additional weapons and threatening severe secondary tariffs on nations that continue trading with Russia if a peace deal is not secured within 50 days.
This pivot comes amid rising frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reluctance to engage in negotiations to end the war. Analysts suggest Trump’s tougher rhetoric signals a new strategy aimed at pressuring Moscow without escalating direct military confrontation.
The Kremlin reacted cautiously to Trump’s remarks. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Trump’s recent threats, including the potential sanctions, are “severe.”
“We certainly need time to analyze what was said in Washington,” Peskov stated, adding, “And if and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment.”
The U.S. president’s recent comments underscore the delicate balance Washington is trying to strike, deterring Russian aggression while avoiding actions that could be seen as direct provocation, particularly attacks on Russian soil.
Despite stepping up support for Kyiv, Trump has made it clear that he does not endorse Ukraine launching strikes on Moscow. His comments are seen as a way to avoid further escalation while still increasing diplomatic and economic pressure on Putin’s regime.
