Donald Trump, back in office, has asked Zelensky if he could strike Moscow and Saint Petersburg, marking a dramatic shift in his stance towards Russia.
To bypass the American Congress, Trump is considering shipping long-range weapons through European allies, including Tomahawk missiles.
Faced with Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil, Moscow now threatens a first nuclear strike against NATO if Western weapons are used against Russia.
Trump encourages Zelensky to strike Russia
On July 4, 2025, Donald Trump, now back as the US President, surprised even the most seasoned diplomats. During a phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky, he asked a geopolitically striking question:
Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? And Saint Petersburg?
According to close sources: FT
Zelensky reportedly responded without hesitation: “Absolutely. If you give us the weapons.” A red line few leaders had dared to cross before.
Radical change in stance
Trump, who recently promised to end foreign conflicts and make a deal with Russia in 24 hours, is now taking a more confrontational approach. The failure of his recent attempt at direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin, labeled by himself as ‘bad,’ has reinforced his determination to hit the Kremlin.
The goal? ‘Make them feel the pain,’ according to two sources close to the call. The idea: hit hard to force Moscow back to the negotiation table.
An indirect but deliberate strategy
In the days following, a confidential list of long-range strike systems was reportedly passed to Zelensky in a meeting in Rome with NATO and Pentagon intermediaries. To bypass the US Congress’ block on direct military aid, Trump is considering a workaround: selling these weapons to European allies, who would then transfer them to Ukraine.
Among Kyiv’s requests: the Tomahawk missiles, capable of hitting targets at 1,600 km. However, Washington remains concerned that these weapons could be used recklessly, risking further escalation in the region.
A war that crosses new boundaries
Ukraine already uses Atacms missiles supplied by the US for strikes up to 300 km. But this is not enough to reach Moscow. Kyiv has thus innovated: locally produced long-range drones have been deployed deep inside Russian territory. In June, a spectacular attack damaged at least 12 Russian strategic bombers, thanks to drones hidden in prefab houses. Operation name: ‘Spiderweb.’
The nuclear specter resurfaces
These bold strikes have prompted the Kremlin to rethink its nuclear doctrine. Now, Moscow reserves the right to launch a first nuclear strike against NATO powers in response to attacks on Russian soil with Western weapons.
Putin warns: if the West allows the use of its weapons against Russia, there will be retaliation. And it could be symmetrical… or worse.
A strategic turning point that worries as much as it intrigues
The message is clear: Trump wants to take control of the conflict. But by pushing Kyiv to strike deep into Russia, he is playing a dangerous game. The line between deterrence and escalation has never been so thin.
The coming weeks will tell if this strategy forces an agreement… or triggers an explosion.
