According to a report by the Financial Times, U.S. President Donald Trump recently asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether Ukraine could strike major Russian cities—such as Moscow and St. Petersburg—if the U.S. provided long-range weapons.
The conversation reportedly took place during a call on July 4. It marks a major shift in Trump’s earlier position, where he had campaigned to reduce U.S. involvement in foreign wars.
Sources briefed on the call said President Trump directly asked Zelenskyy, “Can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St Petersburg too?” Zelenskyy replied, “Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.” Trump expressed support for the idea, reportedly saying it would make Russia “feel the pain” and possibly pressure Moscow into negotiations.
The call came just a day after Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a conversation he later described as “bad,” according to the report.
A Western official familiar with the exchange said it reflects growing interest in the West—including among some U.S. officials—in supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons to “bring the war to Muscovites.”
The White House and President Zelenskyy’s office have not commented on the report.
Russia Responds to Trump’s Comments, Criticizes NATO
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said the country is open to negotiations and prefers diplomacy, but firmly rejects any demands or ultimatums. The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated that NATO countries are not genuinely interested in peace in Ukraine and criticized NATO’s role in coordinating weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
