Trump excludes long-range missiles for Ukraine
(MENAFN) U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed reports claiming that Washington is preparing to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory.
On Monday, Military Watch Magazine reported, citing sources, that Trump was allegedly considering providing Ukraine with Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), which have a range of up to 1,000km depending on the model. These missiles, if used by Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets, could potentially target cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.
However, when questioned by reporters on Tuesday about the possibility of sending long-range weapons to Ukraine, Trump firmly denied the rumors, saying, “No, we are not looking to do that.”
Earlier that day, The Financial Times had reported that Trump privately asked Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky if he could target Moscow and St. Petersburg with such weapons. Zelensky was said to have replied “absolutely,” if the necessary arms were supplied.
Later, Trump clarified that he had told Zelensky not to attack Moscow. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the FT report as sensationalized, calling the outlet a “dying” newspaper known for taking comments out of context for attention.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the reports, saying such claims often prove false.
On Monday, Trump issued a threat to impose secondary U.S. tariffs of up to 100% on Russia’s trade partners if no progress toward peace between Moscow and Kiev is made within 50 days. He also authorized further weapons shipments to Ukraine, but these are to be financed by European NATO members.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov criticized the move, saying Moscow rejects any ultimatums or demands. Peskov added that decisions made by Washington, NATO, and Brussels are viewed by Ukraine as encouragement to continue fighting, not as a push toward peace.
Moscow has reiterated its openness to diplomacy with Kiev but expressed frustration over what it sees as a lack of serious efforts from Ukraine and the West to achieve a peaceful resolution.
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