Trump says Ukraine should not target Moscow
His comments came after The Financial Times, citing people briefed on discussions, reported on Tuesday that Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russia.
The newspaper added that Trump asked Zelenskiy whether he could strike Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons.
"No, he shouldn't target Moscow," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House when asked if Zelenskiy should attack the Russian capital.
Asked if he was willing to give long-range missiles to Ukraine as well as more defensive arms, he added: "No, we're not looking to do that."
Trump on Monday announced a toughened stance against Russia for its three-year-old war in Ukraine, promising a fresh wave of missiles and other weaponry for Ukraine.
He gave Russia 50 days to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions.
Asked if he was now on the side of Ukraine, Trump said, "I am on nobody's side," and then declared he was on "humanity's side" because "I want to stop the killing".
Trump defended the deadline he set for Russia to agree to a deal and head off tariffs and sanctions on countries that buy oil from Russia.
"I don't think 50 days is very long and it could be sooner than that," he said.
He did not say whether any talks were planned to try to work out a deal with Russia.
"At the end of the 50 days if we don't have a deal, it's going to be too bad," he said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a briefing on Tuesday that Russia was considering its next steps.
"We will certainly need time to analyse the rhetoric from Washington," he said, the TASS news agency reported.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that NATO's arms deliveries to Ukraine showed that the alliance was interested in continuing the fighting.
with DPA
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
5 minutes ago
- West Australian
US cuts short Gaza ceasefire talks with Hamas, explores alternative options for Israeli hostages
The US is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar, after the latest response from Hamas 'shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,' US President Donald Trump's envoy says. Special envoy Steve Witkoff flagged that the US will now consider alternative options to bring Israeli hostages home. 'While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,' Mr Witkoff said. He said it was 'a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way' and that the US is 'resolute' in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza. A breakthrough in talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration for months as conditions worsen in Gaza. The territory recently had its deadliest day yet for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war, with at least 85 Palestinians killed while trying to reach food on Sunday. Dozens of people have starved to death in recent weeks in Gaza. The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place. Earlier Thursday, Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's office recalled his country's negotiating team back to Israel in light of Hamas' response. In a brief statement, the Prime Minister's office expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt, but it gave no further details. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce. The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms, a condition the militant group rejects. The State Department said earlier in the week that Witkoff would be travelling to the Middle East for talks, but US officials later said that Witkoff would instead travel to Europe. It was unclear if he was holding meetings there on Thursday. Mr Trump earlier this month met Netanyahu at the White House, putting his weight behind a push to reach a breakthrough and a ceasefire agreement. But despite his newly strengthened partnership with Netanyahu following their countries' joint strikes on Iran, the Israeli leader left Washington without any announced breakthrough.
Perth Now
5 minutes ago
- Perth Now
US ends Gaza ceasefire talks, pulls team home from Qatar
The US is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar, after the latest response from Hamas 'shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,' US President Donald Trump's envoy says. Special envoy Steve Witkoff flagged that the US will now consider alternative options to bring Israeli hostages home. 'While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,' Mr Witkoff said. He said it was 'a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way' and that the US is 'resolute' in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza. A breakthrough in talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration for months as conditions worsen in Gaza. The territory recently had its deadliest day yet for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war, with at least 85 Palestinians killed while trying to reach food on Sunday. Dozens of people have starved to death in recent weeks in Gaza. The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place. Earlier Thursday, Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's office recalled his country's negotiating team back to Israel in light of Hamas' response. In a brief statement, the Prime Minister's office expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt, but it gave no further details. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce. The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms, a condition the militant group rejects. The State Department said earlier in the week that Witkoff would be travelling to the Middle East for talks, but US officials later said that Witkoff would instead travel to Europe. It was unclear if he was holding meetings there on Thursday. Mr Trump earlier this month met Netanyahu at the White House, putting his weight behind a push to reach a breakthrough and a ceasefire agreement. But despite his newly strengthened partnership with Netanyahu following their countries' joint strikes on Iran, the Israeli leader left Washington without any announced breakthrough.
AU Financial Review
35 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
Israel, US recall Gaza negotiators, say Hamas not acting in good faith
Talks for a ceasefire in Gaza were dealt a new blow on Thursday (Friday AES) after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams, with the Trump administration saying Hamas is not acting in good faith. A short time later, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognise Palestine as a state, amid rising global anger over people starving in Gaza. Macron said in a post on X that he will formalise the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
