Washington, D.C., July 16, 2025 – RKS News
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, not to target Moscow, following a Financial Times report claiming Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to escalate deep strikes inside Russia, even going as far as asking Zelensky whether he could bomb the Russian capital.
“No, he shouldn’t target Moscow,” Trump said on Tuesday when asked directly if Ukraine should strike Russia’s capital, according to The Guardian.
Pressed further on whether the U.S. would provide Ukraine with weapons capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, Trump added:
“We’re not looking to do that.”
The comments come amid confusion over the nature and scope of U.S. military aid, with Ukraine expecting details on a new American weapons package worth billions of dollars. On Monday, Trump had claimed an undisclosed country was ready to provide “17 Patriot” air defense systems, though he did not specify whether he meant launchers, missiles, or full batteries.
Currently, Ukraine is believed to operate six functioning Patriot batteries—complex air defense systems composed of radar units and truck-mounted missile launchers used to intercept aerial threats.
Trump’s vague statements have sparked questions over his understanding of the technical components of Patriot systems. As reported by Klan Kosova, it remains unclear whether he was referring to the launch units, the interceptors (ammunition), or the system as a whole.
The developments come at a sensitive moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, as Trump navigates his assertive rhetoric toward Russia while simultaneously pledging continued, though measured, military support to Kyiv.
