‘Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow?’: Trump call ‘asking Ukraine leader
It’s the clearest sign yet that Trump is done playing diplomatic games with Mad Vlad Putin
Juliana Cruz Lima,
‘Really p****d’ Trump gives Putin 50-day ultimatum as he unveils major plan
DONALD Trump reportedly asked Volodymyr Zelensky whether Kyiv could strike Russia's two biggest cities — if the US supplied the right firepower.
The bombshell July 4 call marks a stunning shift in Trump’s approach to the Ukraine war — with the peacemaker-turned-hawk now eyeing direct strikes on Russian cities to bring Putin to heel.
Close-up of Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
11
Trump reportedly asked Zelensky if he could hit Moscow and St PetersburgCredit: AFP
Firefighter battling a house fire.
11
Fires blaze in the city of Chekhov, Moscow region, after Ukrainian drone strikes in MayCredit: East2West
Volodymyr Zelensky speaking at a press conference.
11
Zelensky said Ukraine could hit the two cities if the US provide them the weaponsCredit: Getty
Large fire engulfing industrial storage tanks at night.
11
A fire was left burning in Krasnodar following Ukraine's March drone strikes on MoscowCredit: X
Vladimir Putin listening during a meeting.
11
Trump said the plan could be a way to make Putin's Russia 'feel the pain'Credit: AP
“Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St Petersburg too?” Trump asked during the call, according to the Financial Times, citing two sources briefed on the exchange.
Zelensky’s answer was swift and direct: “Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.”
Trump, far from recoiling at the idea, backed it — describing the plan as a way to “make them [Russians] feel the pain” and force the Kremlin into a ceasefire.
Some of Ukraine's attacks on Moscow this year include a March strike on one of Russia's prized oil refineries - just 55 miles away from Putin's Black Sea palace.
Read more on Trump & Putin
FIRE AND FURY Is THIS the US missile that will force Putin to make peace with Ukraine?
DON'S THREAT Trump warns Putin he’s ‘not done’ with him and ‘trusts no one’ after ultimatum
Russian air defences were also left scrambling to shoot down over 337 drones across 10 different regions, with Moscow and Kursk as the main targets.
It’s the clearest sign yet that Trump is done playing diplomatic games with Vladimir Putin — and is now preparing to take the fight to Russia’s doorstep.
The White House has refused to comment on the bombshell report.
But it comes hot on the heels of Trump’s blistering crackdown on Moscow, including a pledge to hit Russia with 100 percent tariffs if Putin doesn’t agree to a peace deal within 50 days.
Most read in The US Sun
Comedian dies days before he was set to star in his birthday comedy roast
TRAGIC LOSSComedian dies days before he was set to star in his birthday comedy roast
More than 1 MILLION migrants are claiming Universal Credit in Britain
UNIVERSAL BENEFITSMore than 1 MILLION migrants are claiming Universal Credit in Britain
Jackson linked, Utd 'get Mbeumo BOOST', Red Devils 'open Tolisso talks'
UNITED LATESTJackson linked, Utd 'get Mbeumo BOOST', Red Devils 'open Tolisso talks'
Conor McGregor breaks silence after he was pictured kissing mystery woman
FIGHTING TALKConor McGregor breaks silence after he was pictured kissing mystery woman
The Financial Times revealed that following the call, a list of long-range weapons was shared with Zelensky in Rome during meetings with US defence officials and Nato intermediaries.
The weapons discussed included the Tomahawk cruise missile, with a 1,600km range, and the Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms), which Ukraine has already used to hit Russian-occupied areas — and in some cases, targets deeper inside Russia.
The plan under discussion could allow Trump to bypass the congressional freeze on direct US military aid by authorising weapons sales to European allies, who would then transfer them to Ukraine.
A workaround, but one that could supercharge Ukraine’s firepower without violating legal constraints.
Trump slams Putin's 'bulls***' and trashes the tyrant's 'meaningless' promises to end Ukraine war in savage attack
Putin defies Trump's ultimatum and BOMBARDS Ukraine - as Kremlin mouthpiece warns Russia will 'turn Kyiv into Hiroshima'
But American officials have expressed concern over Kyiv's lack of restraint, particularly after a series of daring attacks — including the infamous Operation Spiderweb, where Ukraine’s SBU smuggled drones disguised as prefab homes into Russia and destroyed a fleet of strategic bombers.
That strike, seen as a major psychological blow to the Kremlin, left 12 Russian aircraft heavily damaged or destroyed — retaliation for Moscow’s continued bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
While US-supplied Atacms missiles can reach up to 186 miles (300km), they still can't hit Moscow.
But the message from Trump is clear: if Kyiv can deliver the pain, Washington may provide the means.
Trump's fury has been building and his patience with the Kremlin tyrant is wearing very thin.
On Monday, in the Oval Office alongside NATO chief Mark Rutte, he slammed Putin’s refusal to deal, and threatened 100 per cent secondary tariffs on Russia if there’s no ceasefire in 50 days.
He also reaffirmed support for NATO’s collective defence — in a stark contrast to his earlier skepticism of the alliance.
“I’m disappointed in President Putin. I thought we would have had a deal two months ago,” Trump said.
“We are very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we’re going to be doing very severe tariffs.”
He also revealed plans to arm Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems, while NATO allies would pick up the bill.
“We’re not buying it,” Trump said.
“We will manufacture it, and they’re going to be paying for it.”
Rutte called it a “game changer”, promising a massive increase in European-supplied equipment.
One of the powerful weapons which could make the cut and be included in package deal is America's joint air-to-surface standoff cruise missiles (JASSM).
According to the defence news website Military Watch, President Trump is considering supplying the rarely used Lockheed Martin equipment to help Ukraine.
B-1B Lancer bomber over Edwards Air Force Base.
11
A US B-1B Lancer carrying a JASSM which has a 450kg warheadCredit: Refer to photographer
Illustration of the JASSM cruise missile with specifications.
11
Lockheed Martin JASSM cruise missile displayed at an airshow.
11
The JASSM cruise missile has an impressive range of up to 230 miles and is armed with a 450kg warheadCredit: Getty
Illustration of JASSM cruise missile range in Russia from Ukraine.
11
The standard AGM-15 JASSM has an outstanding range of up to 230 miles with a warhead weighing 450 kg.
They are also well-known for their ability to fly at low altitudes, which allows them to avoid radar detection.
But Putin wasn't listening.
Within hours of Trump's tariff threat, Russia launched a fresh blitz across Ukraine, striking sites in Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.
Drones targeted a university in Sumy, wounding a 14-year-old girl and a 19-year-old student, while a missile hit a medical facility in Shostka.
In response, Ukraine launched its own drone blitz across southwest Russia, injuring civilians and damaging homes and industrial sites in Voronezh and Lipetsk.
The Kremlin’s reaction to Trump’s latest posture was icy.
Recommended stories
PITCH IMPERFECT The deeply selfish holiday trend sweeping Europe’s beaches this summer
OUT OF THE OX Ex-England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 'has Besiktas contract terminated'
Putin infamous crony, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, mocked Trump’s deadline as “theatrical,” writing on X: “Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin.
“The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”
Firefighters battling a blaze at a building in Sumy, Ukraine.
11
Ukrainian firefighters try to extinguish the fires following the Russian attack on Sumy Oblast on MondayCredit: Getty
Damage to buildings in Sumy, Ukraine, following a Russian attack.
11
A view of the damage following the Russian attack on Shostka community in Sumy
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings