US President Donald Trump is said to have pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into contemplating the possibility of striking deep into Russian territory, including Moscow, if Kyiv is equipped with long-range American weapons. This was a phone call made on July 4, just one day after Trump had called Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Financial Times, quoting sources close to the call, said Trump specifically inquired of Zelenskyy if Ukraine could strike Moscow if Ukraine were equipped with US-manufactured ATACMS missiles. Trump afterwards voiced disappointment at the lack of interest by Putin in mending the conflict.
Trump Presses Ukraine to Go Deeper Into Russia
Donald Trump’s call to Zelenskyy occurred at a tight spot. The Biden-era plan to equip Ukraine with ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) had been halted by the Pentagon only weeks before. Yet Trump brought it back into consideration in his July 4th call with Zelenskyy.
Trump allegedly spoke about the missile delivery and the strategic significance of Ukraine targeting deeper Russian targets. His remarks were a manifestation of increasing frustration with the speed of peace endeavours and Putin’s position during their previous call.
Putin ‘Not Interested’ in Peace, Trump Says
Donald Trump informed staff he was appalled by his conversation with Putin. The Russian president had no interest in brokering a peace, according to the sources. Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to quickly resolve the conflict, has since amplified pressure on the Kremlin.
Addressing along with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Trump affirmed new weapon shipments would be destined for NATO allies. “We are going to make the best weapons, and they will go to NATO,” he stated.
Tariff Threat Hangs Over Moscow
Trump did not stop at military aid. He issued a sharp warning to Putin, linking trade penalties to ceasefire progress. “If there’s no deal in 50 days, we’ll impose secondary tariffs – 100 percent,” he said.
Trump has increasingly used tariffs as a tool of foreign policy, and the threat signals growing impatience with Russia’s military aggression.
Patriot Missiles and Broader Aid Under Discussion
Trump also signalled an arms package for Ukraine. Among the gear under consideration is a complete set of Patriot missile defence systems. Ukraine has been begging for the advanced batteries to protect its air.
“There’s one country with 17 Patriots ready for shipment,” Trump told reporters. “We’re working on a deal to send those – either all or a significant portion – to the war zone in Ukraine,” he added.
Escalation or Leverage?
Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to ramp up attacks against Russian soil is a sharp change of tone. While he is still pressuring Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, he is also aligning the US and NATO to build up the military strength of Ukraine.
Whether this will be a turning point in the war—or a perilous provocation—awaits.
