US President Donald Trump has said Ukraine should not target Moscow, just a day after setting a 50-day deadline for Russia to strike a peace deal or face sweeping US tariffs. His remarks came amid backlash from the Kremlin and concerns over escalating NATO support for Kyiv.

“No, he shouldn’t target Moscow,” Trump told reporters, following reports that he had discussed missile support with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The comment signals a boundary in Trump’s otherwise toughened stance, which includes new military aid and pressure on NATO allies to step up contributions.

Moscow responded warily to Trump’s announcement, warning that fresh aid and sanctions would delay diplomacy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the US move would be seen by Ukraine “not as a signal for peace but for the continuation of the war.”

European allies welcomed Trump’s reengagement, though some — like Slovakia — resisted new sanctions. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s frontline soldiers offered a mixed reaction: some hopeful, others skeptical. “There have been too many promises,” said a soldier known as Shah. Another, “Master,” lamented the delays: “Those Patriots could have helped a lot.”

As the war drags into its fourth year, both hope and uncertainty loom large, with the clock now ticking toward Trump’s 50-day deadline.