President Trump discussed Ukraine’s recent attack on Russian bombers with Putin, adding that he is not optimistic about “immediate peace.”
Donald Trump is “disappointed” with Vladimir Putin
President Donald Trump told reporters that he was “disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to the latest attacks on Ukraine.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump told him in a June 4 call that Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to retaliate against Ukraine’s recent surprise drone attack that destroyed dozens of Russian bombers.
In a post about True Society, Trump described his 75-minute call with Putin as a “good conversation,” but added that it “is not a conversation that leads to immediate peace.”
“We discussed Ukraine’s attacks on Russian docked planes,” Trump said of the most harmful Ukrainian attack on Russia in the three years since Moscow invaded. He also said he discussed “a variety of other attacks that are happening between the two sides.”
“President Putin said he has to respond to recent attacks on airfields,” Trump said.
The call was the first time Trump told Putin since last week that he publicly warned the Russian president that he was “playing on fire” by attacking Ukraine during peace talks.
To date, Trump has resisted imposing sanctions on Russia. And since returning to the White House, Trump has been equally responsible for Putin and Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelenkie to extend the Russian war and conflict.
The Ukrainian intelligence agency said the coordinated drone strike on June 1 cost Russian troops $7 billion to destroy more than a third of Moscow’s strategic cruise missile carriers, including planes that can carry nuclear warheads.
A surprising attack took place after Russian troops launched a deadly barrage of hundreds of drones and missiles in Ukrainian cities on May 25th, prompting Trump to say Putin “absolutely crazy.” Trump then warned Putin was “playing on fire” by refusing to engage in the ceasefire talks.
Trump is struggling to mediate meaningful peace negotiations between Putin and Zelensky. After Trump made a two-hour call with Putin on May 15, he said the terms of the next peace negotiations will be “negotiated between the parties.”
Speaking on June 4th’s call with Putin, Trump said he also discussed Iran. Iran said it had just rejected a proposal from the Trump administration for a transaction that would hinder the development of potential nuclear weapons technology. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected the Central US request that Iran abandon its uranium enrichment, calling it “100%” to the country’s interests.
“I told Putin that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I believe we agree with this,” Trump said.
“It is my opinion that Iran is slowly roaming their decisions on this very important issue, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” Trump said.
Contributions: Reuters and Cybele Mayes-Osterman from USA Today.
Reach Joey Garrison with X @joeygarrison.
