US president’s remarks follow report stating that he urged Kyiv to intensify strikes within Russian territory.
United States President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine should not aim at Moscow following a report from The Financial Times on Tuesday. The report indicated that Trump had encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a July 4th phone call to increase strikes deep within Russian territory.
The report, which cited two anonymous sources familiar with the conversation, claimed that Trump inquired whether Zelenskyy could strike Moscow and St Petersburg if provided with weapons having extended range.
Responding to a Tuesday query about whether Zelenskyy should target Moscow, Trump advised against it at the White House, also indicating that the US is not looking to supply Kyiv with longer-range missiles.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the discussion, providing a statement to several media outlets suggesting that Trump was simply questioning and not advocating for further violence.
In a shift from his previous stance, Trump announced on Monday that he would provide additional weaponry to Ukraine and threatened substantial secondary tariffs on Russia’s trade partners if no peace agreement is reached within 50 days.
Previously, Trump had criticized Washington’s support for Ukraine as a financial burden to the US and accused Zelenskyy of impeding peace negotiations. However, his tone has recently shifted, reflecting increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to negotiate an end to the invasion.
The Kremlin commented on Tuesday that Trump’s recent threats, including sanctions, were “very serious” and that it would require time to evaluate the situation. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that President Putin would comment when necessary.
The report, which cited two anonymous sources familiar with the conversation, claimed that Trump inquired whether Zelenskyy could strike Moscow and St Petersburg if provided with weapons having extended range.
Responding to a Tuesday query about whether Zelenskyy should target Moscow, Trump advised against it at the White House, also indicating that the US is not looking to supply Kyiv with longer-range missiles.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the discussion, providing a statement to several media outlets suggesting that Trump was simply questioning and not advocating for further violence.
In a shift from his previous stance, Trump announced on Monday that he would provide additional weaponry to Ukraine and threatened substantial secondary tariffs on Russia’s trade partners if no peace agreement is reached within 50 days.
Previously, Trump had criticized Washington’s support for Ukraine as a financial burden to the US and accused Zelenskyy of impeding peace negotiations. However, his tone has recently shifted, reflecting increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to negotiate an end to the invasion.
The Kremlin commented on Tuesday that Trump’s recent threats, including sanctions, were “very serious” and that it would require time to evaluate the situation. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that President Putin would comment when necessary.
