Trump to Zelensky: "Why haven't you struck Moscow?" Zelensky to Trump: "If you give us weapons, we will."

The American and British press have reported a private conversation between Trump and Zelensky. The US president encouraged Ukraine to intensify its strikes deep into Russian territory, even asking Zelensky if he could strike Moscow if the U.S. supplied long-range weapons to Kiev.

The conversation in question, people familiar with the discussions told some newspapers, took place during a July 4th of 2025 phone call between the two leaders. "Volodymyr, can you strike Moscow? Can you also strike St. Petersburg?" Trump reportedly asked during the call, according to the sources. Zelensky reportedly responded: "Absolutely. We can do it if you give us weapons."

And there is a further nuance. "Why didn't you strike Moscow?" the tycoon asked, receiving in response the Ukrainian leader's request to send the weapons to do so. Trump then expressed his support for the idea, describing the strategy as aimed at "making them (the Russians) feel the pain" and forcing the Kremlin to the negotiating table, according to people briefed on the call.

The “Washington Post” also revealed that the agreement with NATO to send Ukraine defensive and offensive weapons could include the shipment of “Tomahawk” missiles, the same ones used to strike targets in Iran last month, with which Kiev could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg. The newspaper, citing a source, explained that Trump evaluated and discussed this possibility until last Friday.

For now, the source adds, the Tomahawks have remained off the list of weapons to be sent to Kiev, but they could be added at a later date if the president wishes to exert greater pressure on Moscow. A Western official, who was briefed on the conversation, said it reflected a growing desire among Ukraine's Western partners to provide long-range weapons capable of "taking the war to Muscovites".

The White House and the Ukrainian presidential office did not respond to requests for comment. The conversation marked a clear departure from Trump's previous position on the war between Ukraine and Russia and from his campaign promise to end U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

The new $ 10 billion military aid package to Kiev, structured so that the U.S. will sell the weapons to NATO countries that will then pass them on to Ukraine, highly likely includes Washington's authorization to use the long-range "ATACMs" missiles already deployed in Ukraine at their full range, which reaches 300 kilometers. This would not allow Ukraine to target Moscow or St. Petersburg, but it would give Kiev a greater ability to strike military bases, airstrips, and supply depots well inside Russian territory. The package could also include the shipment of additional ATACM missiles. Until now, whenever a longer range for the missiles was authorized, the Russians moved aircraft and equipment further inland.