Trump, Putin speak in aftermath of Ukrainian drone strike

President Trump said Wednesday he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian bombers and amid a stalled push for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Trump posted on Truth Social that the call lasted roughly one hour and 15 minutes. The two leaders discussed the Ukrainian drone attack “and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides,” Trump said.

“It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump posted.

The two leaders also discussed ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, according to Trump.

“President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion,” Trump posted. “It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!”

Wednesday’s phone call marked the second time Trump has spoken on the phone with Putin since May 19. Trump has been pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine, and while officials from Russia and Ukraine have held direct talks in recent weeks, the two sides do not seem close to a ceasefire agreement.

Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border.

Trump had ramped up his criticism of Putin last week, warning that Russia’s leader was “playing with fire” with missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and saying Putin had gone “absolutely CRAZY!”

Ukraine last weekend struck one of its most devastating blows in its war against Russia’s invading army, using smuggled drones to target bombers on air bases deep inside Russian territory.

The White House said Trump was not given advance notice of the Ukrainian operation.

Updated 12:57 p.m. EDT