RUSSIA LAUNCHES MASSIVE DRONE ATTACK ON UKRAINE AFTER TRUMP-PUTIN CALL AMID PUSH FOR PEACE TALKS
Trump says negotiations will “immediately” resume, but Ukraine suffers overnight barrage as Moscow maintains hardline stance.
Tensions remain high in Eastern Europe after Russia launched over 100 drones into Ukraine just hours after a high-profile phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The drone strikes — one of the largest in recent weeks appear to undercut Trump’s claim that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would resume “immediately.”
Ukraine’s air force reported on Telegram that it intercepted 35 of the 108 Russian drones, while 58 others were jammed or neutralized mid-flight. Nevertheless, the barrage caused damage across four Ukrainian regions. Russia’s Defense Ministry, in turn, reported it downed eight Ukrainian drones overnight.
The drone assault came despite President Trump’s optimistic remarks following a two-hour phone conversation with Putin on Monday. “I think something’s going to happen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “It’s a bloodbath. And I do believe [Putin] wants to end it.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv would begin immediately. However, no formal confirmation of talks has emerged from the Kremlin, and Putin gave no indication of compromise.
“Eliminating the root causes of this crisis is what matters most to us,” Putin said in a post-call statement via the Kremlin.
The Kremlin’s longstanding demands including the annexation of four partially-occupied Ukrainian regions, the retention of Crimea, Ukraine’s demilitarization, and a ban on its NATO membership remain non-negotiable conditions for Russia. These stipulations have been categorically rejected by Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also spoke with Trump on Monday, reiterated his country’s willingness to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire.
“This is a defining time,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram. “If the Russians are not ready to stop the killings, there must be stronger sanctions… Pressure on Russia will encourage it to make real peace.”
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is prepared to halt hostilities but urged global leaders — particularly the United States not to withdraw from negotiations.
“If Putin drags out or blocks real negotiations,” Zelenskyy said, “America and the whole world [must] respond with additional sanctions.”
Source:NKONKONSA.com
