In a recent conversation, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin warned him “very strongly” about potential repercussions for Ukraine’s assault on Russian airfields. The ongoing conflict, it seems, has no immediate resolution in sight.
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This past Sunday, mass drone strikes from Kyiv targeted and destroyed several nuclear-capable bombers valued at billions of dollars, marking yet another critical exchange between the two leaders since Mr. Trump reassumed his position. The dialogue came amidst escalating tensions, with President Putin appearing to dismiss any possibility of a ceasefire or direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. As Turkey has extended an invitation to facilitate such discussions, Mr. Trump has been invited as well.
In a social media update, Mr. Trump described their conversation as productive but cautioned, “It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace.” He noted President Putin’s firm stance on responding to Ukraine’s recent actions, highlighting the complexities at play.
The Kremlin characterized the call as “positive” and “productive,” focusing also on ongoing negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
Ukraine’s drone operations last weekend targeted Russian aircraft at multiple airbases, further heightening the situation.
‘Why reward them?’
President Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Mr. Putin’s aggressive actions, recently labeling him as “crazy” amidst ongoing attacks that have thwarted Trump’s commitment to end the conflict swiftly. This conversation between the two leaders reflects a broader diplomatic effort by Putin; he also touched upon the Ukraine war in a call with Pope Leo XIV.
During that discussion, Putin expressed a desire for diplomatic peace while also accusing Ukraine’s leadership of escalating the conflict through sabotage against Russian civil infrastructures. He suggested that any comprehensive ceasefire would merely offer Kyiv the opportunity to regroup and rearm.
“Why reward them by giving them a break from the combat, which will be used to pump the regime with Western arms?” Putin questioned, emphasizing his skepticism about Ukraine’s intentions.
Ukraine is advocating for an unconditional, immediate 30-day truce and has submitted its latest proposal to Moscow during peace talks in Istanbul on Monday.
‘Ultimatum’
President Zelensky indicated that Russia has presented Ukraine with an “ultimatum” based on previous demands, with the only tangible agreement stemming from a series of large-scale prisoner exchanges. Moscow’s positions include a complete withdrawal from regions such as Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—territories it currently claims.
In response, Mr. Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine is prepared to meet at any time, as proposed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which would involve both U.S. and Russian leaders. The White House has acknowledged that Mr. Trump is receptive to this idea.
Over three years into the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, both sides have initiated direct dialogues to seek a resolution to what has evolved into Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.
Ukrainian forces have faced significant challenges on the battlefield, with Russian troops making steady advances across vital sectors. Reports from Russia indicate they have captured additional territory in Ukraine’s Sumy border region, aiming to establish a “buffer zone.”
Meanwhile, Kyiv is actively seeking assurances of sustained support from Washington, as senior Zelensky aide Andriy Yermak recently engaged with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.
Ukrainian Refugees in Europe
The European Commission has proposed extending the right for Ukrainian refugees to remain in the EU for an additional year. This comes as the Commission outlines plans for a gradual transition out of temporary protections currently benefiting 4.3 million Ukrainians, which are set to last until March 2027.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has criticized Western involvement in what she called “terrorist attacks” against Russian civilian targets, linking these actions to support and supplies from Western nations and NATO.
Amid rising tensions, Mr. Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, expressed concerns about the ongoing risk of escalation following the recent drone strikes on Russian airbases, stating, “The risk levels are going way up—what happened this weekend.”
Kellogg emphasized the significant implications of attacking key components of a nation’s defense, particularly mentioning the nuclear triad. He noted the importance of understanding the increasing unpredictability of the situation.
While the recent damage to Russian bombers is notable, Kellogg remarked that the psychological impact on Russia may be even more crucial, especially amid unconfirmed reports of further Ukrainian actions targeting naval installations in northern Russia.
In light of these developments, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Mr. Trump was not made aware of Ukraine’s drone attacks prior to their occurrence.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
