U.S. President Donald Trump has cautioned Ukraine against targeting Moscow, following reports that he questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the possibility of striking the Russian capital if Washington were to supply long-range weapons.
Trump’s remarks came in response to a report published by The Financial Times on Tuesday, which claimed that during a phone conversation on July 4, he had urged President Zelenskyy to intensify attacks within Russian territory. According to the report, Trump specifically asked whether Ukraine would consider launching strikes on Moscow if it were given access to advanced long-range missile systems.
Addressing the issue publicly, Trump clarified that while he supports Ukraine’s right to defend itself, he does not endorse actions that could escalate the conflict to the heart of Russia, particularly its capital. His statement appears aimed at drawing a line between military support for Ukraine and actions that could provoke a broader confrontation.
The phone call between the two leaders took place as discussions continue within the U.S. administration over the scope and limits of military aid to Ukraine, particularly amid concerns about widening the war beyond Ukrainian borders.
