Zelenskyy shouldn't target Moscow: Trump's U-turn over 'deep strike' claim

Trump has been putting pressure on Russia to end its war on Ukraine and issued a warning to Putin, threatening 'severe' tariffs if a ceasefire is not reached within the next 50 days.

In Short

• Trump softens tone on Russia, says he is on nobody's side
• Comes day after announcing new military aid to Ukraine
• US sets 50-day deadline for Russia to announce ceasefire

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday distanced himself from reports suggesting he encouraged Ukraine to strike deep into Russia, saying President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "should not target Moscow".

His remarks came a day after he adopted a "toughened stance" against Russia, including a new tranche of military aid for Ukraine. "I am on nobody's side," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. "I am on humanity's side because I want to stop the killing," he said.

The Financial Times had earlier reported that Trump, in private conversations, asked Zelenskyy whether Ukraine could hit Moscow if supplied with long-range US weapons. But on Tuesday, Trump appeared to walk back that suggestion.

"No, he shouldn’t target Moscow," Trump said when pressed about the report.

Trump also said he's disappointed with President Putin, noting that while he's helped end several conflicts recently, this one remains unresolved. He called the war "a Biden war, not a Trump war," and stressed that his goal is to find a way to get the US out of the situation.

TRUMP THREATENS 100% TARIFFS OVER CEASEFIRE DELAY

The president’s 50-day deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal -- or face renewed US sanctions and oil tariffs -- signals a dramatic shift in tone, though questions remain about whether any talks are planned.

"At the end of the 50 days, if we don't have a deal, it's going to be too bad," Trump said, offering no details on how such an agreement might be reached.

He defended the timeline, saying, "I don't think 50 days is very long — and it could be sooner than that."

Trump has also been putting pressure on Russia to end its war on Ukraine and issued a warning to Putin, threatening "severe" tariffs if a ceasefire is not reached within the next 50 days.

"If there's no deal in 50 days, we'll impose secondary tariffs - 100 percent. That's how it's going to be," he announced.

This comes weeks after the Pentagon halted arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Speaking from the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump confirmed that billions of dollars' worth of US-made weapons would soon be sent to NATO allies.

"We are going to produce top-of-the-line weapons, and they will go to NATO," Trump told reporters.

- Ends
With inputs from Reuters