Zelensky Says U.S. Backing Could Let Ukraine Strike Deep into Russia

• Zelensky told Axios he had President Trump’s backing to hit Russian energy infrastructure and arms factories.
• He said Ukraine would use additional long-range U.S. weapons if supplied: “we will use it.”
• Zelensky warned Kremlin officials they “have to know where the bomb shelters are” if Moscow does not end the war, but insisted Ukraine will not target civilians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios in New York that Washington has given Kyiv explicit support to strike Russian economic and military targets, and that a new weapons system requested of President Trump could help force Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table. Zelensky said the system would be identified privately, and that Trump told him: “We will work on it.”

What Zelensky asked for

Zelensky said he made one particular request of Trump during their meeting on Tuesday — a new weapons system he believes would create the pressure needed to bring Russia to talks. He said he would name the system only off camera, and that Trump responded: “We will work on it.”

He told Axios that if Ukraine receives additional long-range weaponry from the U.S., “we will use it.” The comment came amid suggestions from both leaders that Kyiv could respond directly to Russian strikes on critical infrastructure.

Targets and limits

Zelensky was explicit about targets he believes are legitimate military objectives and those he will not touch. He said Ukraine would not bomb civilians because “we are not terrorists,” but he flagged Russian centers of power as being on the table:

“They have to know where the bomb shelters are. They need it. If they will not stop the war, they will need it in any case.”

On symmetry in targeting, Zelensky said Trump had endorsed reciprocal action if Russia attacks Ukrainian energy systems: “If they attack our energy, President Trump supports that we can answer on energy.” He added that Trump also expressed support for striking drone factories or missile sites, though he acknowledged such targets are well defended.

Diplomacy, deterrence and the “one thing”

Zelensky framed the potential acquisition of the unnamed system as a tool of pressure rather than an automatic trigger for escalation: “We need it, but it doesn’t mean that we will use it,” he said. “Because if we’ll have it, I think it’s additional pressure on Putin to sit and speak.”