Trump Warns Ukraine Against Targeting Moscow, Signals Hesitation on Long-Range Missiles
President Donald Trump on Tuesday cautioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky against launching military strikes on Moscow, while signaling that the United States has no plans to provide Kyiv with long-range missile systems amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
“No, he shouldn’t target Moscow,” Trump told reporters outside the White House before boarding a flight to Pennsylvania, responding to questions about Ukraine’s military strategy. His remarks follow a report from the Financial Times earlier that day, which claimed Trump had questioned Zelensky in a recent phone call about whether Ukraine might consider attacking Moscow if given the appropriate weaponry.
Despite his firm stance on limiting direct attacks on Russia’s capital, Trump emphasized continued military support for Ukraine, touting a new NATO agreement announced Monday. Under the deal, the alliance will increase its weapons shipments to Ukraine, with member nations shouldering most of the financial burden.
However, Trump also introduced a more aggressive economic warning, stating he would impose “severe” tariffs on Russia if it fails to agree to a ceasefire within the next 50 days. When asked why such a long grace period was being offered to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump responded, “I don’t think 50 days is very long,” adding that a ceasefire could potentially come sooner.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Trump has frequently criticized both the Kremlin and President Joe Biden’s handling of the war. On the campaign trail, Trump has pledged to end the war in just 24 hours if re-elected—though he later clarified that the claim was made “sarcastically.”
In recent weeks, Trump has shown growing dissatisfaction with Putin’s refusal to halt missile strikes against Ukraine, even as diplomatic pressure mounts. Simultaneously, Trump faces internal pressure from congressional Republicans pushing for sanctions against Russia. While a bipartisan sanctions bill is moving through the Senate, Trump has so far declined to commit to signing it into law.
