Trump wanted to "make them feel the pain," as he put it on the July 4 call, the Financial Times reported, and force Russia into peace negotiations. Zelensky said Ukraine could hit the cities if the U.S. supplied the weapons, per the Post.

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not ready for compromises” to end his brutal war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Post in an exclusive interview on Wednesday — but President Trump has the power to bring him to his knees by speeding up tough sanctions that could cause a “social explosion” in Russia.

Trump’s decision to allow weapon sales to Ukraine culminated a five-month effort by allies to help Volodymyr Zelensky rebuild a relationship with the president.

President Donald Trump cautioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky against launching direct military strikes against the Russian capital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the EU for the 18th package of sanctions targeting Russia, and called for further punitive measures against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine over three years ago.

The White House played down reports of a private call.