Trump wanted to "make them feel the pain," as he put it on the July 4 call, the Financial Times reported, and force Russia into peace negotiations. Zelensky said Ukraine could hit the cities if the U.S. supplied the weapons, per the Post.

The White House confirmed that Trump and Zelenskyy discussed whether Ukraine would be able to strike Moscow and St. Petersburg with U.S.-supplied weapons.

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy should not target Moscow. His comments come 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 White House played down reports of a private call.

Russia targeted Ukraine with more than 1,800 drones, 1,200 guided aerial bombs and 83 missiles of various types, President Zelenskyy said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has privately encouraged Ukraine to step up strikes deep in Russian territory, even asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy whether he could hit Moscow if the U.S. provided long-range weapons,

President Donald Trump has vowed further sanctions on Russia if a peace deal is not reached in 50 days. CNN’s Chief Global Affairs Correspondent breaks down the Russian reaction and perspective on Monday’s announcement from Moscow.

The president’s call for Ukraine to avoid hitting Moscow continued his pattern of swinging between pressure on both sides to end the war and underscored the uncertainties about his strategy.