A recent phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has ignited fresh controversy after Russian forces continued their strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, despite claims of a proposed ceasefire.
The call, which came just hours before a new wave of Russian drone attacks damaged a hospital and other civilian areas overnight, was described by the White House as a “first step toward peace.” Trump claimed that Putin had agreed to halt assaults on Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure sectors immediately, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported no such change in Russia’s tactics.
“This confirms that we must continue to pressure Russia for the sake of peace,” Zelenskyy said late Tuesday. “Only a real halt to Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure can signal a genuine desire to end this war and bring peace closer.”
Moscow, however, has shown no indication of stepping back from its conditions for a full ceasefire. According to the Kremlin’s readout of the call, Putin reiterated his demand for a complete cessation of military and intelligence support to Kyiv from the U.S. and its Western allies — terms fiercely rejected by Ukraine.
“I do not believe that we should make any concessions in terms of assistance for Ukraine, but rather there should be an increase in support,” Zelenskyy added.
The White House expressed hopes that the conversation would pave the way for broader negotiations, including a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. Nevertheless, the ongoing Russian strikes underscore the complexities of achieving lasting peace.
As global leaders continue to push for diplomacy, Ukraine remains firm in its stance that peace can only be achieved through increased international pressure and unwavering support from its allies.
