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Trump backtracks on striking Moscow, says Zelenskyy 'shouldn't target' Russian capital
US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 28. File image/AFP
In a big U-turn, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Jul 15) said that Ukraine should not strike Moscow, dismissing reports that he had urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attack the Russian capital during a call on July 4. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, 'No, he shouldn't target Moscow.'
When asked if the US was considering sending long-range missiles to Ukraine, Trump replied, 'No, we're not looking to.'
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His comments came just a day after he announced what he called a tougher stance against Russia, which includes new military aid for Ukraine.
Earlier, the Financial Times reported that during the July 4 call, Trump allegedly asked Zelensky, 'Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St Petersburg too?' According to the report, Zelensky responded, 'Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.' The report claimed Trump suggested striking Russian cities could 'make them [Russians] feel the pain' and push President Vladimir Putin toward negotiations.
'I am on nobody's side,' Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. 'I am on humanity's side because I want to stop the killing.'
A spokesperson clarified that 'President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further violence,' and added, 'He's working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war.'
Trump also expressed disappointment with President Putin, saying that while he has helped resolve other conflicts, the war in Ukraine remains unsolved. He called the conflict 'a Biden war, not a Trump war,' and said his goal is to find a way for the US to step back from the situation.
Trump has given Russia a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face new US sanctions and oil tariffs—a shift that signals a tougher approach but leaves questions about how negotiations might proceed.
'At the end of the 50 days, if we don't have a deal, it's going to be too bad,' Trump said, without offering details on what an agreement would look like. He defended the timeline, saying, 'I don't think 50 days is very long—and it could be sooner than that.'
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He also threatened 'severe' tariffs if Russia doesn't end the war within the next 50 days, warning, 'If there's no deal in 50 days, we'll impose secondary tariffs—100 percent. That's how it's going to be.'
Trump's remarks come just weeks after the Pentagon halted arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Speaking from the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump confirmed that billions of dollars' worth of US-made weapons would soon be sent to NATO allies. 'We are going to produce top-of-the-line weapons, and they will go to NATO,' he told reporters.
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