President Donald Trump has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a “very strong” warning during a phone call on Monday, vowing retaliation for Ukraine’s dramatic drone strikes on key Russian airfields. The attacks, which destroyed several nuclear-capable bombers, have further complicated efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict.
“It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace,” Trump said in a social media post following the call. “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
The two leaders discussed the drone strikes, which took place on Sunday and reportedly caused billions of dollars in damage, as well as other recent military actions by both Russia and Ukraine. The conversation marked the third direct call between the presidents since Trump’s return to office.
The Kremlin described the call as “positive” and “productive,” noting that the two also addressed the Iran nuclear issue. However, Putin reiterated a hardened stance on Ukraine, refusing to engage in direct talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and rejecting the idea of a ceasefire. In a government meeting, he accused Kyiv of “terrorist” acts, including attacks on infrastructure that left seven dead after a train derailment.
“Why reward them by giving them a break from the combat?” Putin said, warning that a ceasefire would allow Ukraine to rearm with Western support.
Zelensky, meanwhile, confirmed that Ukraine had proposed a 30-day truce during peace talks in Istanbul. According to Ukrainian officials, Moscow countered with a list of long-standing demands, including the full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four partially occupied regions — Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — which Russia claims to have annexed.
Zelensky called Russia’s latest offer an “ultimatum” and said the proposals failed to move peace talks forward. Still, he said Ukraine remains ready “any day” to attend a high-level summit proposed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which could include leaders from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine.
The White House confirmed that Trump is “open” to participating in such a meeting, though no date has been set.
Despite previously pledging to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, Trump has struggled to broker a breakthrough. His relationship with both Putin and Zelensky has been rocky in recent months, with reports of a heated Oval Office exchange between the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents in February. Last week, Trump referred to Putin as “crazy” during a campaign stop.
As the conflict enters its fourth year, the latest escalation underscores the fragile state of diplomacy and the continuing challenge of brokering a ceasefire in one of Europe’s most volatile conflicts.
