Trump backs Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he supports Ukraine striking targets deep inside Russian territory, calling the policy an escalation that could help bring the war to a close. He spoke at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
“It’s an escalation, but it’s also an escalation that could help lead to an end,” Trump said.
Trump’s remarks differed from earlier proposals that European allies and lawmakers in both U.S. parties had criticized as favoring Moscow.
Trump opened the meeting with warm words and fresh promises of military cooperation. He said he would consider granting Ukraine a license to produce U.S. Patriot missile interceptors — weapons Kyiv has urgently sought as its stockpiles have run critically low. Ukraine has used Patriots to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, but the shortage has left Kyiv and other cities vulnerable during deadly Russian strikes this summer.
Trump also said he would consider traveling to Kyiv at the appropriate moment in peace talks.
The meeting stood in stark contrast to the fiery encounter the two leaders held in early 2025 after Trump returned to the White House.
Trump said he continues to communicate with Russian President Vladimir Putin and apply pressure on Moscow. “We have a lot of pressure on President Putin. I don’t think he likes what’s going on,” Trump said. “But I talked to President Putin a lot. He wants to end the war.”
Senior European officials said Putin has not altered his ambition of subjugating Ukraine, despite steep battlefield losses and significant economic strain from the war.