Trump Leaves Door Open to Supplying Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine
President Donald Trump has not ruled out providing longer-range missiles to Ukraine, signaling a shift in his stance on arming Kyiv as he intensifies pressure on Moscow and seeks to bring the war to an end, according to multiple officials familiar with recent discussions, The Gaze reports, citing CNN.
In conversations with European allies over the past several weeks, Trump has reportedly considered allowing shipments of offensive weapons previously requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but not yet delivered by the United States.
According to a source briefed on recent exchanges, Trump asked Zelensky in a phone call whether Ukraine could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg if Washington supplied the necessary weapons. This question was described by a U.S. official and a White House source as one of many the president raised in passing during the July 4 call.
Still, the inquiry reportedly caught the Ukrainians off guard. Zelensky replied that such strikes could be possible if Ukraine received the required weaponry. The exchange has since prompted further discussion between Ukraine, the U.S., and European partners regarding the possible delivery of long-range missile systems.
Ukraine has already demonstrated its ability to reach both Moscow and the St. Petersburg area using drones. However, it has continued to press for more powerful systems, including Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs), which have yet to be approved by Washington.
For now, the focus remains on delivering urgently needed air defense systems. Under the new weapons pipeline Trump announced Monday, European nations will purchase items like Patriot batteries and transfer them to Ukraine, with rapid delivery from stockpiles in Europe and future replenishment by U.S. manufacturers.
“When it comes to ammunition and missiles, we will work on this from now on, every hour, making sure that the stuff gets into Ukraine. But of course, we know it’s not only Patriots,” NATO Secretary General Rutte said. “This is really discussing everything the US can still deliver without hurting the defense of the US itself.”
As The Gaze previously reported, The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether Ukraine could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg if Washington provided the necessary weapons.