LONDON – President Donald Trump on Monday once again criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin as Russian strikes on Ukraine continued, despite U.S. efforts to negotiate a peace deal between the two countries.
“Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation,” Trump told reporters during an Oval Office signing event. “And then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace, and then I get very angry about it.”
The president acknowledged ongoing tensions but maintained optimism, saying he still believed progress toward a peace deal was possible. “I think we’re going to get the war done,” Trump said, adding, “Strange things happen in war.”
Drone Strikes Intensify in Ukraine and Russia
Over the weekend and into Monday, both Russia and Ukraine carried out long-range strikes.
On Tuesday, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 59 drones overnight, of which 47 were intercepted or suppressed. Twelve drones struck nine different locations across the country.
Russia’s Defense Ministry countered that its forces had downed at least 51 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two that were headed toward Moscow.
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Peace Talks Face Uncertainty
Earlier this month, Trump met both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as European leaders, raising hopes for a potential direct meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
While Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to attend such talks, Putin and Russian officials have consistently avoided committing. “Maybe they will, maybe they won’t,” Trump told media on Monday. He confirmed speaking to Putin after Zelenskyy’s Washington visit but declined to share details.
Asked what steps he might take if talks fail, Trump hinted at possible action “over the next week or two” but stopped short of outlining consequences.
U.S. Diplomacy Focuses on Security Guarantees
U.S. officials continued diplomatic efforts Monday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with European counterparts, while Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, traveled to Kyiv for talks with Zelenskyy.
A central issue in these discussions was Ukraine’s demand for binding security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who joined the call with Rubio, reiterated Kyiv’s position that such guarantees must be “concrete, legally binding and effective.”
Following his meeting with Kellogg, Zelenskyy described the talks as “productive,” thanking Trump for U.S. backing. Kellogg said Washington was “working very, very hard” toward a framework for Ukraine’s security.
