The Kremlin reported that Trump discussed “the issue of an immediate ceasefire” during a conversation, marking their sixth recorded call since Trump resumed his position at the White House in January. However, the Russian leader asserted that he “will not back down.”
“Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia continues to pursue a political solution to the conflict through talks,” stated Yuri Ushakov, Kremlin’s foreign policy advisor, during a briefing on Thursday.
But the Kremlin has so far not offered concessions on its central demands that Ukraine should cede territory and give up on joining NATO.
Though neither Kyiv nor the White House disclosed the call’s agenda, it is anticipated that Zelenskyy will reiterate his request for increased military support and U.S. sanctions against Russia. Ukraine remains affected by Trump’s recent decision to suspend certain U.S. military equipment shipments, crucially including air defense systems.
“Without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behavior,” Zelenskyy said, stressing that it “primarily” depends on the U.S. to “change the situation for the better.”
Michael Bociurkiw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, said Trump’s inaction, and his outright blaming of Ukraine at times, is likely seen by Putin as an invitation to press forward on the battlefield.
“Putin sees this as almost an invitation to bomb, bomb the heck out of Ukrainian cities and to grab more territory,” said Bociurkiw said in a telephone interview from the southwestern Ukrainian city of Odessa.
