Trump Tells Ukraine: No Strikes on Moscow Amid New Weapon Plans

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that Ukraine should refrain from targeting Moscow. This statement came after the Kremlin accused the US of implementing a new plan to supply weapons to Kyiv while threatening sanctions against Russia, which they claimed would impede peace efforts.

On Monday, Trump, expressing frustration with Moscow, gave Russia a 50-day ultimatum to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine. He also announced that NATO members would provide Kyiv with additional military support.

In a potentially groundbreaking development, the Financial Times reported that Trump discussed the possibility of supplying US missiles to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for striking Moscow.

However, when questioned by reporters at the White House about whether Zelenskyy should consider targeting the Russian capital, Trump firmly stated, “No, he shouldn’t target Moscow.” It’s worth noting that Trump had initially taken office vowing to swiftly end the conflict and halt the flow of billions of dollars in US weapons to Ukraine.

The Republican leader had previously exerted significant pressure on Zelenskyy and initially touted his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Under Trump’s influence, Moscow and Kyiv initiated talks regarding the conflict, which has persisted for over three years. However, the only concrete outcome thus far has been prisoner exchanges.

Russia has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire and has recently launched an unprecedented number of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.

Moscow indicated that it needed more time to fully assess Trump’s Monday announcement, suggesting that it was not conducive to diplomatic efforts.

“It appears that such a decision made in Washington, NATO countries, and directly in Brussels will be perceived by Kyiv not as a signal for peace but as an encouragement to continue the war,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“President Trump’s statement is very serious. We certainly need time to analyze what was said in Washington,” he added, offering Moscow’s initial reaction to the comments.

Trump warned that if no agreement was reached, he would impose severe tariffs on Russia’s remaining trade partners to impede Moscow’s ability to finance its military operations.

Despite US and EU attempts to push it into a deep recession through sanctions, Russia’s economy has shown resilience. This is largely due to substantial state spending on military personnel and weapons, as well as redirecting vital energy exports to countries like China and India.

Most European allies have welcomed the return of a tougher US stance, although Slovakia, led by Moscow-friendly populist Robert Fico, has resisted new EU sanctions on Russia.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also called for the United States to help fund the new weapons.

“We welcome President Trump’s announcement to send more weapons to Ukraine, although we would like to see the US share the burden,” Kallas stated after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

“If you promise to provide the weapons but say someone else will pay for them, then they aren’t truly being given by you.” Trump has consistently urged allies to increase defense spending and purchase from US manufacturers, arguing that the US shoulders too much of NATO’s financial burden.

Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden – all of which joined NATO after Russia deployed troops to Ukraine in 2022 – expressed their willingness to participate in Trump’s plan.

Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson told Agence France-Presse that his country would contribute, emphasizing that “Ukraine is in great need of more air defense, given Russia’s constant bombings and attacks.”

The Russian offensive has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and forced millions to flee their homes in eastern and southern Ukraine, regions that have been devastated by aerial assaults and ground attacks.

In Moscow, residents dismissed Trump’s statement as political posturing.

“It’s a game of chess,” remarked Svetlana, an aviation engineer.

“Trump gave 50 days, and then there will be more. … We are waiting for the next move from our president,” the 47-year-old added.

Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the east remained cautiously optimistic about Trump’s stance.

“I don’t believe him. There have been too many unfulfilled promises,” said one soldier with the call sign Shah. Others expressed concern that the support might be too little, too late.

“Of course it’s good, but at the same time, time has been lost. Those Patriots could have been sent sooner and could have helped a lot,” another fighter known as Master told AFP.

Ruslan, a 29-year-old soldier, remarked, “If there is even the slightest chance to improve our situation and worsen theirs, then that’s already positive.”