The Financial Times reports that former US President Donald Trump secretly encouraged Ukraine to intensify its attacks on Russian territory, even questioning whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be able to strike Moscow if the US supplied Kyiv with long-range weapons. This information, obtained from sources briefed on the discussions, suggests a sharp turn from Trump's previous stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and his stated desire to end US involvement in foreign conflicts.
The conversation took place during a phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy on July 4, following what Trump described as a "bad" call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to sources, Trump asked Zelenskyy if he would be able to hit military targets deep inside Russia if provided with the necessary weapons. Zelenskyy responded affirmatively, asserting Ukraine's capability to do so if they received adequate military support.
Reports suggest that Trump expressed his support for this strategy with the aim of "making the Russians hurt" and forcing the Kremlin back to the negotiating table. However, this move raises questions about the potential risks of escalation, including a possible Russian retaliation against Ukraine or even against Western countries supporting it.
While the White House and the Ukrainian President's office have not commented on these reports, the discussions led to the US side sharing a list of potential weapons with Zelenskyy during a meeting in Rome. The list included long-range strike systems that could be provided to Ukraine through a third party, allowing Trump to circumvent current congressional restrictions on direct military aid.
It remains to be seen whether these plans will materialize, and whether Ukraine will possess the capability to strike strategic targets deep within Russia. However, these developments point to a potential shift in US strategy towards the conflict, carrying significant risks and opportunities.
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