Zelenskyy Says Ukraine “Absolutely” Can Strike Moscow—If Trump Delivers the Weapons

In a striking turn in US foreign policy, President Donald Trump directly asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if Kyiv could hit Moscow if America supplied the right weapons. The conversation, which took place during a phone call on July 4, is causing a stir in both international diplomatic circles and the Kremlin.

Could US-supplied long-range weapons actually reach Moscow?

Citing people briefed on the call, Trump pressed Zelenskyy with the pointed question, “Can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St. Petersburg too?” The Ukrainian leader replied unequivocally, “Absolutely. We can do so if you provide us with the weapons. This exchange reportedly took place just one day after Trump’s own tense call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The weapons in question include US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and similar long-range strike systems. Ukraine has used ATACMS with a 300-kilometer range, but they can't hit Moscow. Ukrainian requests also included Tomahawk-type cruise missiles with ranges above 1,500 kilometers, marking a dramatic escalation in capability.

Did you know?
Ukraine has previously used domestically produced drones to target military installations in Moscow’s vicinity, with some operations crippling strategic bomber bases and disrupting major airport operations in Russia’s largest cities.

Will Trump’s backing for Ukrainian deep strikes intensify the conflict?

Trump’s stance contrasts sharply with both his earlier caution around Russia and his campaign promise to pull the US back from foreign wars. His support for deeper incursions comes as US frustration with Putin’s refusal to negotiate a ceasefire grows, especially after intense Russian strikes on Ukrainian targets recently.

Sources indicate the US administration floated the possibility of providing these weapons through transfers to European allies, who could then supply them to Ukraine, potentially sidestepping Congressional approval. The White House and Ukraine’s presidential office have declined to comment on these reports so far.

ALSO READ | Trump threatens 100% secondary tariffs on Russia and launches massive weapons deal for Ukraine

The Trump-Zelenskyy exchange marks a stark reversal in US policy

The July 4 call signals a major departure from the Trump administration’s previous reluctance to support deep Ukrainian strikes inside Russia. According to briefed officials, Trump framed the idea as a means to “make them [Russians] feel the pain” and pressure Moscow into serious negotiations after months of failed diplomacy.

The conversation also reflects broader shifts among Ukraine’s Western partners, who have recently become more vocal in support of providing long-range capabilities to Kyiv. Western officials are increasingly convinced that Russia will not negotiate unless it feels direct pressure, even as Moscow threatens to escalate in response.

Deep frustration with Putin drives dramatic White House shift

Trump’s pivot comes amid mounting anger over continued Kremlin intransigence. Immediately prior to his call with Zelenskyy, Trump had spoken with Putin, describing the conversation as “bad” and criticizing Putin for failing to move toward a peace deal.

On the battlefield, Ukraine has already demonstrated its ability to hit strategic targets deep within Russia using domestically built drones. Kyiv’s most daring raids have caused disruption in Russian border regions and airports and even damaged major military assets in Moscow’s orbit. However, compared to what advanced Western missiles could accomplish, these strikes remain symbolic in scale.

Experts warn the prospect of earning longer-range weapons from the US could trigger further escalation, with Moscow ratcheting up threats and updating its nuclear doctrine to deter deep strikes. Yet, within Ukraine’s leadership and among many Western officials, conviction is growing: only by putting Moscow within reach can the tide of the conflict shift decisively.

The coming weeks may define the extent to which Washington is willing to transform Ukrainian firepower and whether these bold words will become the new reality of this war.