Trump calls the leaders. After Putin – time for Zelenski

Donald Trump, who spoke to Vladimir Putin on Thursday on the phone, admitted that this conversation did not bring any advancement on ending the war in Ukraine. According to Kremla's advisor Yuri Uszakov, Trump called for the end of the armed action as shortly as possible. In his reply, Putin declared that Russia was inactive seeking a political solution to the conflict through negotiations, but, as Uszakov pointed out, the president of Russia clearly stressed that Moscow does not intend to quit its objectives and will prosecute them. The Kremlin typical besides added that Russia assumes the anticipation of further discussions in a bilateral expression – exclusively involving straight active parties, i.e. representatives of Russia and Ukraine. However, the subject of the possible 3rd circular of negotiations in Istanbul has not been raised.

Trump Disappointed

The president of the United States expressed disappointment with Vladimir Putin's attitude, admitting that the Russian leader did not meet his expectations. Trump pointed out that he did not believe Putin was willing to break up the war that had been going on since 2022. It's been a long conversation. We have raised many issues, including the situation in Iran and, as is known, the conflict in Ukraine. I'm not happy about it. – told Trump journalists.

Volodymyr Zelenski expressed his hope that he would be able to have a telephone conversation with Donald Trump on Friday, during which the issue of American military aid would be raised. According to the AFP agency, citing sources in Ukrainian authorities, this conversation is presently being prepared. The main subject is US military support, part of which, as announced by the Pentagon, has been temporarily suspended. The president of Ukraine stressed that he hoped to proceed working with the United States, especially in the context of supplying key missiles to Patriot air defence systems.

After-talk attack

The importance of this discussion is besides highlighted by fresh events at the front. A fewer hours after the conversation with Donald Trump ended, Vladimir Putin ordered further massive attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine. As a consequence of night bombings, Kiev injured at least 23 people, residential buildings and railway infrastructure were damaged. At least 5 people died in the Donetsk region.

According to witness reports, Ukrainian air defence managed to effectively counter most Russian attacks. Nevertheless, local media reports that many Kiev residents spent the night from Thursday to Friday in shelters and on subway stations, seeking protection from another wave of fire.

The effects of Russian raids were peculiarly felt in the Kiev districts of Słomiańska and Swiatoszyńska. A five-storey residential building was partially destroyed in the former, and a large fire broke out on the roof of another building. The fire besides appeared in the warehouse, at the fuel station and within the garage cooperative. Much of the civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. In turn, in the Swiatoszyńska district, a Russian rocket struck a 14-story residential block that was on fire.