U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed as “fake news” a Wall Street Journal report claiming that his administration had authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
The report, citing American officials, suggested that Washington had lifted restrictions on the use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles, effectively allowing Kyiv to hit Russian military infrastructure beyond the front lines.
Trump swiftly rejected the claim, posting on social media:
“The Wall Street Journal story about U.S. approval for Ukraine to use long-range missiles deep inside Russia is FAKE NEWS! The United States has nothing to do with these missiles—wherever they come from, or whatever Ukraine does with them!”
The controversy comes amid growing uncertainty over the future of U.S.–Russia diplomacy. Trump recently postponed a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that he “did not want to waste time” unless both Moscow and Kyiv were “ready for peace.”
Earlier reports had indicated that the two leaders were preparing to discuss potential ceasefire arrangements in Ukraine. However, Tuesday’s announcement of the indefinite postponement has reignited speculation about Washington’s strategic direction in Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, Ukraine confirmed that it used a Storm Shadow cruise missile on Tuesday to strike a Russian defense factory in Bryansk, which reportedly produced explosives and rocket fuel. The Ukrainian Armed Forces described it as a “successful strike” that penetrated Russian air defenses.
At the same time, the U.S. Treasury Department announced plans for new sanctions against Moscow. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters at the White House that the U.S. will unveil “a significant new package of measures against Russia” either late Wednesday or early Thursday, signaling that economic pressure on the Kremlin is set to intensify.
The latest developments reflect the fragile balance between diplomatic caution and military escalation as the Trump administration navigates one of the most complex geopolitical crises of the decade.
