Donald Trump’s two-week deadline for Vladimir Putin to consider peace in Ukraine has passed with Russia launching more drone attacks instead of pursuing diplomatic solutions.
At a Glance
- Trump and Putin spoke for over an hour, with Trump acknowledging the conversation would not lead to “immediate peace”
- Putin rejected a comprehensive ceasefire, claiming it would allow Ukraine to regroup and rearm
- Russia launched more drone attacks after Trump’s deadline expired, signaling Putin’s preference for continued military action
- Putin warned he would respond to Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian airfields
- Negotiations have yielded progress on prisoner exchanges and returning abducted Ukrainian children, but no ceasefire agreement
Trump-Putin Call Yields Limited Progress
President Donald Trump engaged in an hour-long conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict. While the discussion covered various aspects of the war, including Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on Russian airfields, Trump candidly admitted that the talks would not produce an immediate peaceful resolution. The conversation represents one of several diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in a conflict that has now stretched well into its third year with no clear end in sight.
During the call, Putin reportedly offered to participate in U.S. talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program, potentially signaling interest in diplomatic cooperation. However, when it came to Ukraine, Putin ruled out a comprehensive ceasefire, arguing that such a pause would merely allow Ukrainian forces to regroup and rearm. This stance underscores Russia’s continued emphasis on maintaining military pressure rather than pursuing a negotiated settlement.
Russia’s Military Response to Diplomacy
Rather than embracing the two-week window for peace negotiations proposed by Trump, Russia responded by launching additional drone attacks against Ukrainian targets. This military action came shortly after Ukraine conducted successful drone strikes on Russian airbases, which reportedly damaged several Russian bomber aircraft. Putin indicated to Trump that Russia would retaliate for these Ukrainian strikes, and the subsequent drone attacks appear to be part of that promised response.
During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump commented on Ukraine's June 1 drone attack on Russian airfields, stating that Putin "took a big hit" and is preparing a response, which Trump called "not good" and expressed displeasure about, urging Putin to stop. He…
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Experts suggest Putin may be testing Trump’s resolve and willingness to impose sanctions on Russia for continued aggression. Ukrainian parliamentarian Oleksiy Goncharenko stated that Putin “will continue this game” until Trump takes stronger measures against the Kremlin. The ongoing military activities highlight the challenges of shifting focus from battlefield strategies to negotiation tables when one party sees military advantage in continuing hostilities.
Limited Progress on Humanitarian Issues
Despite the lack of progress toward a ceasefire, some positive developments have emerged on humanitarian fronts. Negotiations in Istanbul made headway on prisoner exchanges and the return of abducted Ukrainian children. Russia is reportedly working on the return of over 300 Ukrainian children, with a prisoner exchange expected in the near future. Both sides have continued with exchanges of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers, representing one area where cooperation remains possible.
TRUMP GIVES PUTIN A "TWO-WEEK" DEADLINE ON UKRAINE CRISIS
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly given Vladimir Putin a two-week deadline to decide on the future of the war in Ukraine.
After escalating attacks from Russia, Trump said, "If Putin continues to string us along,… pic.twitter.com/5DMGRbzJjl
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Turkey’s leadership has proposed a summit involving Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Trump, but Putin has opposed a personal meeting with Zelenskyy. Russia has suggested local truces to collect the dead, though Kyiv has rejected these limited proposals in favor of more comprehensive peace terms. The Trump administration’s reduction in military aid to Ukraine could impact Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian airstrikes, potentially weakening its negotiating position.
International Response and Future Prospects
European capitals are taking a more active role in supporting Ukraine’s defense, with new military support measures announced at a recent NATO meeting. This increased European involvement comes as the Trump administration appears to be reducing American military assistance to Ukraine. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has estimated only a 10% chance of reaching a ceasefire deal by 2025, reflecting widespread pessimism about near-term prospects for peace.
“I don’t think Putin took the two weeks seriously,” John Foreman, a former British defence attaché to both Moscow and Kyiv, told Newsweek.
While Russia and Ukraine have exchanged documents outlining potential ceasefire conditions, no agreement has been reached. The ceasefire talks have progressed slowly, with Russia dismissing a U.S.-formulated 30-day ceasefire proposal. Trump’s commitment to brokering peace has fluctuated, at one point comparing the conflict to “two young children fighting.” As drone attacks continue and military operations persist, the path to sustainable peace in Ukraine remains elusive.
