Despite hardening his position toward Moscow and Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump said he would not send deep-strike munitions to Ukraine that would enable Kyiv to strike deep into Russia.
“No, we’re not looking to do that,” Trump said on Tuesday while responding to a question whether the White House would supply Ukraine with long-range missiles. His remarks came after reports that suggested Trump was considering sending these missiles to Kyiv. Trump stressed that Kyiv should not strike Russian capital Moscow. “I’m on nobody’s side. You know whose side I’m on? Humanity’s side.
Trump’s remarks came after Financial Times reported that Trump asked Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a phone conversation on July 4 about Kyiv’s ability to strike Moscow. Zelenskiy replied: “Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.” Trump reportedly told Zelenskiy that he wanted Ukraine to “make them Russians feel the pain” in an effort to bring Moscow to the negotiation table. CNN quoted unnamed US officials as saying that Trump’s question was one of many the president asked about the conflict on the call.
CCN also quoted its sources that Trump has told European allies over the past several weeks, he would not rule out authorizing supply of offensive weapons into Ukraine, including products Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously requested from the United States but not yet received.
Earlier Monday, Trump announced he would send more weapons to Ukraine and threatened Russia with additional sanctions if Moscow did not come to a ceasefire deal with Kyiv in 50 days.
