On a question from journalists at the White House on Tuesday about whether Zelenskyj should attack the Russian capital, Trump replied "he should not do it".
Financial Times has, with reference to sources, reported that Trump raised the issue at a meeting between the presidents on July 4. Trump is then said to have asked Zelenskyj if Ukraine can hit military targets in Moscow if the US contributes with long-range weapons.
Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St. Petersburg too? Trump is said to have asked, according to people who have been informed about the conversation.
Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons, Zelenskyj is said to have replied.
Trump is then said to have stated that it would force Russia to the negotiating table and make the Russians "feel the pain".
The day before, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a conversation that Trump described as "bad".
