President Donald Trump recently held a lengthy phone conversation—lasting approximately 75 minutes—with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders spoke extensively about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, with much of the discussion centered around a recent Ukrainian drone strike that targeted Russian bomber airfields. According to Trump, President Putin made it clear that Russia would respond to what he described as a serious escalation.
Trump characterized the call as constructive and thorough but stopped short of calling it a breakthrough. “It was a good conversation, but not one that will immediately bring peace,” he said in a statement. He noted that Putin remained firm in his stance, describing Ukraine’s actions as provocations that demanded a strong Russian response.
Putin reportedly accused Ukraine of carrying out “terrorist attacks,” referring to the drone strikes on military infrastructure as well as attacks on railway systems. He pointed to these actions as justification for rejecting a recent ceasefire request made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Putin, meaningful negotiations cannot take place while Ukraine continues such operations.
In response, Zelensky dismissed Russia’s terms for peace as unreasonable, calling them an ultimatum that would effectively require Ukraine to surrender. He reiterated that any peace settlement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, efforts to broker a diplomatic solution remain stalled. Low-level talks have been taking place in Istanbul with the involvement of intermediaries, including Turkey and the United States. Despite months of dialogue, little progress has been made. Both Russia and Ukraine continue to blame each other for the deadlock in negotiations.
Despite these challenges, some limited agreements have been reached. Plans are underway for a significant prisoner exchange and the repatriation of fallen soldiers from both sides—a rare point of cooperation in an otherwise hostile conflict.
In addition to discussing Ukraine, Trump and Putin also addressed concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said that both leaders agreed on the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Putin allegedly offered to help move negotiations with Iran forward, though Trump noted that Iran had been slow to engage in any meaningful way.
The call between Trump and Putin underscores the fragile state of global diplomacy amid ongoing conflicts and rising international tensions. While the discussion may have opened the door for further talks, it appears that the path to peace—particularly in Ukraine—remains long and uncertain.
