Image: Reuters
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Thursday that his hour‑long phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin yielded no progress toward ending the war in Ukraine. “I didn’t get one step closer with him,” Trump told reporters. “He is not planning to stop.”
The call marked the sixth time the two leaders have spoken since Trump took office in January. “I’m not happy about it, and I’m very disappointed,” the president added, referring to Russia’s continued military campaign in Ukraine.
Shortly before and during the phone call, Russia launched fresh strikes on Ukraine’s capital. Russian drones targeted sites across Kyiv, triggering explosions and fires in multiple neighborhoods. Following the drone assault, Russian forces reportedly fired ballistic missiles at the city, injuring at least 23 people.
Ukrainian officials said their air defenses intercepted a large share of the incoming fire—shooting down approximately 539 drones and 11 ballistic missiles.
President Trump said he plans to speak today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the conflict. Zelensky had also expressed eagerness for a call with Trump, telling reporters Wednesday that he hoped to hear from the U.S. leader soon.
This week, the United States announced it would pause several promised arms shipments to Ukraine. Trump attributed the decision to dwindling U.S. stockpiles and criticized his predecessor, President Joe Biden, for depleting American weapon reserves. Despite the suspension, Trump emphasized that “we are not turning our backs on Ukraine. We are working with them and trying to help.”
Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin used the call to reaffirm that Russia will press on with its war objectives until what Moscow describes as the “underlying causes” of the conflict are addressed. Those demands effectively call for Ukraine’s full capitulation: relinquishing all territory Moscow has annexed, adopting permanent neutrality, forgoing NATO membership or any other military alliances, and disarming.
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