And so it happened that yesterday (14) US President Donald J. Trump took multiple steps that were widely perceived as against Russia and pro-Ukraine.
To begin with, Trump authorized $10 Billion in military aid for Ukraine in an ingenious formula: NATO (Europeans and Canada – but not the US) will pay for the American weapons.
At the same time, the US president threatened Moscow with harsh secondary sanctions if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not reach a peace settlement with Ukraine in 50 days.
[Ukrainian MPs and European officials have complained that Trump ‘gave Putin 50 days to conquer Ukraine’.]
In the runup to this announcement the USAID-media did what they do: published a story with ‘anonymous sources’ saying that during his phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump would have encouraged him to strike missiles deep into Russian territory – including on Moscow.
The Russian side refused to give credence to this report, and today (15) Trump was asked about it.
Trump responded that Zelensky should NOT target Moscow, and added that Putin ‘should agree to a ceasefire deal by a 50-day deadline or sanctions will kick in’.
Watch: Should Zelensky target Moscow?
REPORTER: Should Zelensky target Moscow?
TRUMP: NO, he shouldn’t target Moscow https://t.co/l8KniMiof8 pic.twitter.com/F0BdPCLBXb
— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2025
Reuters reported:
“His comments came after The Financial Times, citing people briefed on discussions, reported on Tuesday that Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russia.
The newspaper added that Trump asked Zelenskiy whether he could strike Moscow if the U.S. provided long-range weapons.
‘No, he shouldn’t target Moscow’, Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House when asked if Zelenskiy should attack the Russian capital.”
Watch: ‘I’m here to try and get us OUT of that mess’
.@POTUS: “I’ve been very disappointed with President Putin. I’ve solved a lot of wars in the last three months, but I haven’t gotten this one yet. This is a Biden war; it’s not a Trump war. I’m here to try and get us OUT of that mess.” pic.twitter.com/Q7bz4jh0yg
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 15, 2025
“Asked if he was now on the side of Ukraine, Trump said, ‘I am on nobody’s side’, and then declared he was on ‘humanity’s side’ because ‘I want to stop the killing’.”
Watch: ‘I want to stop the killing’
Trump says he’s on ‘NOBODY’S SIDE’ in Russia-Ukraine conflict
‘I want to stop the killing’
Will sending more weapons to Ukraine ‘stop the killing’? https://t.co/GJTuVCv8UA pic.twitter.com/FEKuqrnfOa
— RT (@RT_com) July 15, 2025
Read more:
(VIDEO) Trump Threatens Russia with 100% Tariffs if Deal with Ukraine isn’t Reached in 50 Days
