“Hit Moscow?”: FT Reports Trump Privately Pushed Zelenskyy for Deep Strikes Into Russia
A report published Tuesday by the Financial Times (FT) alleges former US President Donald Trump privately encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to conduct military strikes deep inside Russian territory, including raising the possibility of targeting Moscow.
Citing two individuals familiar with the conversation, the FT states that during a phone call on July 4, Trump asked Zelenskyy whether Ukraine could strike the Russian capital if provided with long-range ATACMS missiles by the United States. The report indicates Trump discussed sending these US-made weapons specifically to enable such strikes.
The timing of the call is notable, occurring just one day after Trump reportedly spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The reported private push for escalated strikes contrasts with public statements made by Trump following his conversation with Putin. Trump later expressed disappointment that the Russian leader showed no apparent interest in ending the ongoing war against Ukraine.
The White House did not respond to the FT’s request for comment on the alleged call. The details of the conversation, as reported by the FT, have not been independently verified by other news organizattions.