Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskiy whether Ukraine could strike Moscow, an inquiry that the White House says was merely a question but one that came hours after he voiced frustration at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to accept a ceasefire in the war.

Ukraine proposes fresh peace talks with Russia next week as deadly drone and missile strikes rock Ukrainian cities.

According to the official, Trump questioned whether Ukraine could “bomb Moscow or St. Petersburg.” Zelenskyy reportedly replied: “If we have the appropriate weapons, we can.” The call, which took place as Trump publicly reinforced his support for Ukraine,

The president’s call for Ukraine to avoid hitting Moscow continued his pattern of swinging between pressure on both sides to end the war and underscored the uncertainties about his strategy.

The skies over Moscow and St. Petersburg were filled with drones coming from Ukraine, days after President Trump told reporters Ukraine should not target Moscow

At least 140 flights have been cancelled and Moscow’s major airports were closed after Ukraine launched a drone strike on Russia.The four major airports serving the capital were disrupted and more than 130 flights also had to be redirected,

President Trump reportedly questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about whether Kyiv could blast Moscow and St Petersburg, but later indicated publicly that Russia’s capital should be off limits.

U.S. President Donald Trump has privately encouraged Ukraine to step up strikes deep in Russian territory, even asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy whether he could hit Moscow if the U.S. provided long-range weapons,