President Donald Trump claimed to have an hourlong phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they discussed recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian warplanes. According to Trump, Putin emphasized that Russia would have to respond to these attacks, which included the destruction of 40 Russian bombers in a series of coordinated drone strikes known as ‘Operation Spider’s Web.’ Trump noted that the conversation did not result in an immediate peace agreement, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the countries. The call also touched upon Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with Trump stating that time is running, and that Iran must make a decision on its nuclear weapons program. Additionally, he mentioned that he and Putin discussed the recent tensions in the region, including the massive underwater blast targeting a bridge linking Russia to Crimea and the ‘savage strike’ on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, which Zelenskyy described as an unprovoked attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally oversaw the ‘Operation Spider’s Web’ strike, which sources told Fox News was months in the making. The White House confirmed that the Trump administration was not informed about the attack in advance. Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the attack, stating that it struck five airfields. A Russian readout of the phone call suggested that the Kremlin views the Kyiv regime as having ‘degenerated into a terrorist organization.’
Trump, who has increasingly shown frustration with Putin’s position on Ukraine, expressed that peace talks have stalled due to Putin’s demands for large portions of Ukrainian territory. Despite these challenges, Trump stated that he and Putin also discussed Iran’s potential nuclear weapons program, warning that time is running out for a decision on this critical issue. He noted that he believes Putin could be helpful in getting a resolution to the nuclear standoff. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, the ongoing dialogue between Trump and Putin underscores the complex geopolitical landscape in the region, with significant implications for international diplomacy and security.