Trump raises idea of strikes on Moscow in call with Zelenskyy — U.S. diplomat

American diplomat John Herbst, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and currently director of the Eurasia Center at the U.S. Atlantic Council, expressed his opinion on Espreso TV.

“From what I know, in the phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy on July 4, it was Trump, not Zelenskyy, who raised this possibility. This conversation was leaked and appeared in an article, I believe in the Financial Times in the UK. Following that leak, Trump made a public statement saying that of course Ukraine should not attack St. Petersburg or Moscow.

What I don't know is this: since Trump raised the issue to begin with, was that public statement his new position on the matter, or was it an effort to distance the United States somewhat from a potential Ukrainian strike on Moscow or St. Petersburg? That remains an open question,” Herbst said.

The diplomat emphasized that even the possibility of a strike on Moscow could become a pressure tool forcing Putin to consider peace.

“Frankly, I think the way this issue has played out is, on balance, a positive development. It sends a message to Putin that Trump may be open to the idea of Ukraine striking Russia’s two main cities, which could be highly embarrassing for Putin. That kind of uncertainty projects strength.

The mere possibility of such a strike might be enough to help push Putin toward peace, but not on its own. It must be combined with all the other measures I have mentioned, including punishing sanctions and the delivery of major new weapons systems,” he added.

• On July 15, Financial Times, citing informed sources, reported that U.S. President Donald Trump privately urged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to intensify strikes deeper into Russian territory, asking whether Kyiv could strike Moscow.