Can You Hit Moscow?” Inside Trump’s Provocative Ukraine Call and the Global Fallout

A private July 4 conversation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles. According to insiders, the U.S. president tested the waters for a radical escalation in Ukraine’s war strategy by asking whether Kyiv could target Russia’s heartland—“Can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St Petersburg too?” Zelenskyy’s immediate affirmation (“We can if you give us the weapons”) underscores the high-stakes gamble under consideration: using long-range strikes to shatter the Kremlin’s sense of invulnerability and compel peace talks .

Behind the Scenes:

• The call occurred hours after a contentious Trump-Putin discussion, where the Russian leader allegedly reneged on ceasefire promises. Trump’s frustration reportedly shaped his sharper tone with Zelenskyy .
• First Lady Melania Trump emerged as an unlikely influence, with Trump crediting her for challenging his trust in Putin after nighttime missile attacks followed “pleasant” calls .
• Russian state media reacted hysterically, with one pundit threatening to turn Kyiv into “Hiroshima” if U.S. weapons reached Moscow .

The Bigger Picture:
While Trump announced Patriot missile transfers to Ukraine through NATO, he tied the delivery to European financing—a classic Trumpian twist blending hardline tactics with fiscal demands. Meanwhile, his 50-day ultimatum for Russia to negotiate or face crippling tariffs on its oil trade has left markets and diplomats scrambling .