Select Language:
US-Russia Relations: Update on Ukraine Conflict
Image Source: AFP/File
WASHINGTON: On Thursday, former US President Donald Trump stated that his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin yielded no advancements in resolving the war in Ukraine. A Kremlin aide reported that Putin emphasized Moscow’s commitment to addressing the conflict’s “root causes.”
During the nearly hour-long call, the leaders did not touch upon the recent halt in some US arms supplies to Kyiv, as outlined by Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov.
Diplomatic efforts by the US to halt Russia’s aggression in Ukraine have faced significant obstacles, with Trump encountering increasing pressure—from both Democrats and some Republicans—to intensify measures against Putin for meaningful negotiations.
In the hours following their call, a suspected Russian drone assault caused a fire at an apartment building in a northern neighborhood of Kyiv, signifying little change in the ongoing hostilities. Eyewitnesses in Kyiv reported explosions and heavy gunfire as air defense units engaged drones, while shelling in the eastern region claimed five lives.
“I didn’t make any progress with him at all,” Trump informed reporters at an airbase near Washington before heading to a campaign event in Iowa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his intention to discuss the weapon supply pause with Trump as soon as Friday. Trump remarked, “We haven’t completely paused the weapons flow,” placing blame on President Joe Biden for providing an excessive volume of military aid, which he claims has left US defenses vulnerable.
“We’re providing arms, but we’ve given so many that we need to ensure we’re adequately equipped ourselves,” he added.
The ongoing diplomatic exchanges occur as the US has temporarily suspended shipments of critical armaments to Ukraine due to dwindling supplies, amid a resurgence of Russian offensives and frequent attacks on civilian areas.
Putin has reiterated that he will cease military actions only when the conflict’s “root causes” are resolved—referring to NATO expansion and Western support for Ukraine, particularly regarding Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.
Russian officials are also pushing for greater influence over political decisions in Kyiv and other Eastern European capitals, as noted by NATO leaders.
The pause in US arms deliveries caught Ukraine by surprise, raising questions about Trump’s current stance on the conflict, especially after he indicated last week that he would work to make a Patriot missile defense system available to Ukraine.
In response, Ukrainian authorities summoned the acting US envoy in Kyiv to stress the significance of military assistance from Washington, warning that the suspension could undermine Ukraine’s capacity to defend against escalating Russian air assaults and advances on the battlefield.
The Pentagon’s decision has led to reduced deliveries of Patriot missiles crucial for intercepting fast-moving ballistic threats, as reported by Reuters.
Ushakov, the Kremlin aide, stated that while Russia is open to continuing dialogue with the US, any peace discussions must occur between Moscow and Kyiv. This aligns with indications that Russia is looking to avoid a trilateral format in potential peace talks, having previously requested that American diplomats exit a meeting in Istanbul earlier this month, according to Ukrainian sources.
Ushakov also mentioned that Trump and Putin did not discuss the possibility of a face-to-face meeting.
Add us on ChatGPT
Add us on Perplexity
