In response to threats against Putin, Trump denies supporting Ukraine's cause. - Trump publicly denies backing for Ukraine from his party
In a controversial phone call on July 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow and Saint Petersburg, given the availability of long-range U.S. weapons [1][2][3].
According to the Financial Times, Trump posed the question during a conversation that followed an allegedly unproductive and "bad" call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day [2][3]. The reports suggest that Trump encouraged these strikes as a means to make Russia "feel the pain" and be more willing to negotiate [3]. This shift in rhetoric marks a departure from Trump's previous stance on ending the conflict quickly and avoiding escalation.
Zelensky, in response, indicated that Ukraine could potentially carry out such operations if the U.S. provided advanced weapons [1][3]. However, no information has been provided about whether Zelensky actually agreed to attack Moscow and St. Petersburg, or whether the U.S. has agreed to supply the necessary weapons for such an operation.
Following the revelation of the conversation, the White House has stated that Trump was not "encouraging further killing," according to the Kyiv Independent's reporting [3]. This seems to indicate an official effort to downplay the language and intent behind the call.
In other developments, Trump has recently agreed to send U.S. weapons to Ukraine, with the European Union footing the bill, in coordination with NATO [1][2]. This represents a significant change from earlier skepticism about military aid to Ukraine. Germany and other European countries will reportedly finance the Patriot air defense systems that Trump plans to supply to Kyiv.
The conversation between Trump and Zelensky, and the implications of the reported request, continue to be a subject of ongoing reporting and official clarification.
Key Details: - **The Call:** The conversation occurred on July 4, 2025. - **Trump’s Motivation:** Trump encouraged these strikes to make Russia "feel the pain" and be more willing to negotiate. - **Zelenskyy’s Response:** Zelensky indicated Ukraine could carry out such operations if the U.S. provided advanced weapons. - **Context:** Trump has recently agreed to send U.S. weapons to Ukraine, funded by the EU, in coordination with NATO. - **White House Clarification:** The White House has stated that Trump was not "encouraging further killing."
References: [1] Financial Times (2025). Trump asks Zelensky if Ukraine can attack Moscow and St. Petersburg. [Online]. Available: https://www.ft.com/content/61529b0a-2bd3-464a-b7f9-68f3f6462f4d [2] The Kyiv Independent (2025). Trump asks Zelensky about attacking Moscow and St. Petersburg. [Online]. Available: https://kyivindependent.com/news/politics/trump-asks-zelensky-about-attacking-moscow-and-st-petersburg [3] CNN (2025). Trump denies encouraging Ukrainian President to attack Moscow. [Online]. Available: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/05/politics/trump-denies-encouraging-ukrainian-president-to-attack-moscow/index.html
- The European Union, having agreed to fund U.S. weapons for Ukraine, finds itself drawn into a potential conflict between the United States and the European Community (Russia), as the conversation between President Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky suggests a possible escalation of war-and-conflicts.
- Amidst general-news reports of Trump's controversial conversation with Zelensky, the EU's involvement in supplying weapons and politics surrounding the situation show that the European Community (EU) plays an increasingly significant role in the ongoing developments and the offer of military aid to Ukraine.
