Russian President Vladimir Putin told former U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Tuesday that Russia has no "aggressive plans" against Europe, according to statements from the Kremlin. The conversation, which lasted one hour, also included praise from Putin for U.S. efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
This was the first direct communication between the Russian and American leaders since Western security officials raised alarms about an intensification of Russia’s covert actions against European targets. Western allies have accused Russia of conducting a "hybrid war," including sabotage attempts such as a recent drone attack targeting a German airport. Putin dismissed these claims as "myths" and accused European governments of using the alleged Russian threat as a pretext to increase military support for Ukraine and boost defense spending, according to his foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.
The majority of the call focused on diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine, now entering its fifth year. Both leaders spoke positively about a recent visit to Moscow and Kyiv by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, agreeing that this communication channel would continue to be employed moving forward.
The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed awareness of the call and indicated that talks between Zelenskyy and Trump would take place "when both presidents are ready and when it is needed." Meanwhile, the call occurred just hours after Russia launched one of its largest missile attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks. The early morning barrage killed three people and injured at least ten, according to city authorities and emergency services.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized the timing of the strikes, stating that immediately after the U.S. peace envoys departed Kyiv, Putin initiated another massive missile attack on the city.
Efforts are reportedly underway to arrange a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly later this month.
Previous attempts by the United States to broker a ceasefire have stalled, largely due to Moscow’s uncompromising demands. Russia insists that Ukraine cede control over the Donbas region along with other territories, abandon aspirations to join NATO, limit the size of its armed forces, and grant Russia significant influence in its governance—a set of conditions Ukraine has rejected as tantamount to surrender.
The White House declined to comment on the details of the call. According to Ushakov, Trump expressed a desire for the conflict to end swiftly and hoped for a breakthrough during his presidency, which runs until 2029. Trump also suggested that a ceasefire could pave the way for a full restoration of U.S.-Russia relations and the establishment of significant trade ties benefiting both nations. Both leaders agreed to maintain contact and hold further discussions as necessary.