Putin Rejects Peace Talks with Ukraine During Lengthy Phone Call with Trump

During a roughly ninety-minute call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, as relayed by adviser Jurij Uszakow, categorically dismissed the possibility of resuming peace negotiations with Ukraine, stating that Moscow will persist in combat until it fulfills all of its goals. Putin expressed gratitude for Trump’s informal birthday greetings and conveyed thanks for the First Lady’s regards. He also blamed Ukraine for attempting to interfere with Russian elections and argued that Ukrainian forces have no realistic chance of success, while Russian troops maintain the initiative.

According to Uszakow, Trump was instructed to pass Russia’s “signals” to Kyiv and later announced that Russia would supply diesel fuel to world markets. Both leaders reportedly enjoyed the communication channels involving intelligence services and each was reluctant to end the call first. The conversation underscores the continued deadlock over the Ukraine conflict and hints at a new energy-supply arrangement.