Trump: Not Considering Providing Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine

(AFP, Washington, 15th) In response to media reports that US President Trump had privately encouraged Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to attack the Russian capital Moscow, Trump said today that Ukraine should not target Moscow, and he does not plan to provide Kyiv with long-range missiles.

The UK's Financial Times reported earlier that Trump had mentioned a possible counterattack to Zelenskyy, even asking whether Kyiv would be able to hit Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons.

When the media asked today at the White House whether Zelenskyy should target the Russian capital, Trump replied, "No, he shouldn't target Moscow."

When asked whether he would be willing to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons, Trump said, "No, we don't have such a plan."

The Financial Times' report cited statements from two sources familiar with the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy. The report noted that the two leaders spoke on the 4th of this month, the day after Trump spoke with Russian President Putin.

The report stated that Trump reportedly discussed delivering US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine.

White House Press Secretary Levitt downplayed the Financial Times' report, stating in a statement that the Financial Times "is notorious for taking things out of context for clicks."

She said, "President Trump simply asked a question, not encouraging further killing." She added that Trump "is working day and night to stop the killing and end this war."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837779935548419/

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