Trump greenlights long-range missile aid to Ukraine, putting Moscow within reach
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 16, 2025, 00:37 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Highlight of the story: Donald Trump has approved sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. These missiles can hit targets inside Russia, even Moscow. This is a big change in Trump's policy towards Vladimir Putin. The US will also provide advanced air defense systems. Trump criticized Putin's actions and expects Europe to pay for the aid.
In a dramatic escalation of U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, President Donald Trump has authorized the delivery of long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory, including potentially Moscow. The move marks a sharp shift in Trump’s posture toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and signals growing frustration in Washington over failed ceasefire efforts and relentless Russian airstrikes.
According to sources familiar with the decision, the United States will not only send advanced Patriot air defense systems but will also equip Ukraine with offensive weapons that significantly enhance its military reach. These systems are expected to have the capability to target strategic sites far beyond the frontlines—deep inside Russian territory.
The announcement, reported by Axios and corroborated by defense insiders, follows Trump’s recent public remarks in which he criticized Putin for what he described as duplicitous behavior. “He talks nice but then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews. The president noted that the European Union would reimburse the U.S. for the military aid package, though he offered no details on the scope or logistics of the payment.
“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump said. “Basically, we’re going to send them a variety of extremely advanced military hardware. We want it that way, so they will pay us 100 percent for that.”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed the scale of the shift, stating that Trump was preparing a “very aggressive announcement” that would mark a turning point in U.S. military aid to Kyiv. It follows months of mounting tension between Trump and Putin, with the American president expressing disillusionment over Russia’s refusal to cooperate on a negotiated ceasefire.
The Kremlin has acknowledged the continuation of U.S. arms deliveries, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming that Russia remains open to a third round of peace negotiations. However, he noted that Kyiv had yet to confirm a timeline, indicating that diplomacy remains on shaky ground.
The long-range missile decision could significantly alter the strategic balance in the war, giving Ukraine the ability to strike command centers, logistics hubs, and airfields far from the battlefield. Until now, the Biden and Trump administrations had limited Ukraine’s access to weaponry that could be used to strike Russian soil, fearing escalation.
But that caution appears to be fading. With the war dragging into its third year and peace talks repeatedly stalling, Trump’s decision suggests a new willingness to use U.S. firepower to force a breakthrough. While it remains unclear whether Ukraine will target sites as far as Moscow, the symbolic weight of such capabilities will not go unnoticed by the Kremlin.
Analysts warn that the risk of retaliation could grow if Ukraine uses U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes inside Russia. But for now, Trump seems intent on sending a message that Washington’s patience has run out.
The decision, though controversial, underscores a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy: one that prioritizes hard power, transactional diplomacy, and clear expectations from allies and adversaries alike. As Trump himself put it, “We’re helping them, but they’re going to pay for it. That’s how it should be.”
According to sources familiar with the decision, the United States will not only send advanced Patriot air defense systems but will also equip Ukraine with offensive weapons that significantly enhance its military reach. These systems are expected to have the capability to target strategic sites far beyond the frontlines—deep inside Russian territory.
The announcement, reported by Axios and corroborated by defense insiders, follows Trump’s recent public remarks in which he criticized Putin for what he described as duplicitous behavior. “He talks nice but then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews. The president noted that the European Union would reimburse the U.S. for the military aid package, though he offered no details on the scope or logistics of the payment.
“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump said. “Basically, we’re going to send them a variety of extremely advanced military hardware. We want it that way, so they will pay us 100 percent for that.”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed the scale of the shift, stating that Trump was preparing a “very aggressive announcement” that would mark a turning point in U.S. military aid to Kyiv. It follows months of mounting tension between Trump and Putin, with the American president expressing disillusionment over Russia’s refusal to cooperate on a negotiated ceasefire.
The Kremlin has acknowledged the continuation of U.S. arms deliveries, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming that Russia remains open to a third round of peace negotiations. However, he noted that Kyiv had yet to confirm a timeline, indicating that diplomacy remains on shaky ground.
The long-range missile decision could significantly alter the strategic balance in the war, giving Ukraine the ability to strike command centers, logistics hubs, and airfields far from the battlefield. Until now, the Biden and Trump administrations had limited Ukraine’s access to weaponry that could be used to strike Russian soil, fearing escalation.
But that caution appears to be fading. With the war dragging into its third year and peace talks repeatedly stalling, Trump’s decision suggests a new willingness to use U.S. firepower to force a breakthrough. While it remains unclear whether Ukraine will target sites as far as Moscow, the symbolic weight of such capabilities will not go unnoticed by the Kremlin.
Analysts warn that the risk of retaliation could grow if Ukraine uses U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes inside Russia. But for now, Trump seems intent on sending a message that Washington’s patience has run out.
The decision, though controversial, underscores a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy: one that prioritizes hard power, transactional diplomacy, and clear expectations from allies and adversaries alike. As Trump himself put it, “We’re helping them, but they’re going to pay for it. That’s how it should be.”