Egypt Daily News – U.S. President Donald Trump said his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin yielded no progress on ending the war in Ukraine, expressing his “disappointment” at the lack of movement. His comments come as Kyiv faces a major escalation, with intense Russian attacks overnight.
Speaking to reporters Friday after returning from Iowa to the capital, Trump described Thursday’s conversation with Putin as “frustrating,” saying, “I don’t think Putin is ready to stop, and that’s very disappointing.” Trump is expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later on Friday amid growing controversy over a temporary pause in some U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine.
The Kremlin, for its part, confirmed that the call did not include discussion of halting U.S. military aid to Ukraine, according to Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov. A face-to-face meeting between the two leaders was not proposed during the call. Putin reportedly maintained his position, insisting that the “roots of the conflict” namely NATO expansion and Western support for Ukraine must be addressed first.
Massive Russian Attack on Kyiv
In parallel with these diplomatic developments, Russia launched one of its heaviest attacks on Kyiv overnight, using hundreds of drones and missiles, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. The strikes injured 23 people and caused fires in several districts, including residential and medical facilities. Railway infrastructure was also damaged, forcing train diversions and delays.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that six out of the city’s ten districts were affected by the bombardment. Air raid sirens blared for more than eight hours. Ukraine’s Air Force claimed it had intercepted 478 aerial targets out of 539 drones and 11 missiles launched by Russia overnight.
In the eastern city of Pokrovsk, five civilians were killed in separate Russian strikes. Witnesses in Kyiv described hearing successive explosions as air defense systems tried to shoot down drones. Videos on social media showed widespread fires and residents fleeing to shelters.
Domestic Criticism Over Arms Shipments
Meanwhile, Trump is facing growing criticism at home over the suspension of certain weapons deliveries to Ukraine, particularly the Patriot missile defense systems considered vital in countering Russian attacks. When asked by reporters, Trump denied that military aid had been fully cut off but blamed the Biden administration for “draining America’s arsenal.”
Zelensky expressed hope that his upcoming call with Trump would bring clarity, warning that any reduction in support would severely weaken Ukraine’s ability to resist Russia’s military escalation. Reuters reported that Kyiv summoned the acting U.S. ambassador to emphasize the importance of continued military assistance.
Though both sides deny targeting civilians, UN data confirms that thousands of civilian casualties have occurred since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022 most of them Ukrainian. Despite ongoing fighting, there are still no concrete signs of a diplomatic resolution on the horizon.
