Trump: Putin Will Respond to Ukraine Drone Attacks on Airfields/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump spoke with Russian President Putin following Ukraine’s drone strike on Russian airfields. Putin warned of a “strong” response, while Trump said the talk didn’t lead to immediate peace. The leaders also discussed Iran’s nuclear program and possible Russian involvement in future negotiations.
Trump-Putin Drone Strike Call: Quick Looks
- Lengthy Call Held: Trump and Putin spoke for over an hour Wednesday amid heightened tensions.
- Putin Warns of Response: Putin vowed to retaliate for Ukraine’s drone attack on Russian airfields.
- Trump Calls Talk ‘Good, Not Peaceful’: The U.S. president said it wasn’t a breakthrough conversation.
- Iran Nuclear Deal Discussed: Trump said Putin offered to help advance nuclear negotiations with Iran.
- Second Recent Call: This was the second known phone call between Trump and Putin since May 19.
- Ukraine Attack Escalates War: Kyiv used smuggled drones to strike strategic bombers deep inside Russia.
- No U.S. Foreknowledge: The White House stated Trump wasn’t informed ahead of the Ukrainian strike.
- Ceasefire Remains Elusive: Despite talks in Istanbul, both sides remain far from a peace agreement.
Deep Look: Trump, Putin Speak After Drone Strike Hits Russian Airfields
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he held a 75-minute phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the wake of Ukraine’s weekend drone strike on Russian air bases. The strike, one of Ukraine’s most daring operations in the nearly three-and-a-half-year-old conflict, targeted long-range bombers deep inside Russian territory.
According to Trump, the two leaders discussed the drone attack in detail, with Putin making it clear that Russia will retaliate. “President Putin said very strongly that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post following the call.
Trump described the discussion as productive but not decisive, stating, “It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.” Despite recent efforts by Trump to broker a ceasefire, his latest update suggests that tensions remain high.
Putin’s Vow and Trump’s Warning
Putin’s reaction to the Ukrainian drone strike came with renewed warnings, echoing concerns he made during earlier stages of the war. Trump himself last week escalated his rhetoric, calling Putin’s ongoing missile attacks on Ukrainian cities “playing with fire” and declaring the Russian leader had gone “absolutely CRAZY!”
Ukraine’s weekend attack, which utilized drones smuggled into Russian territory, damaged key military airfields—significantly escalating the stakes in a war that has killed tens of thousands on both sides.
While the Kremlin has not officially confirmed the call, Trump’s public recount of the conversation signals that backchannel diplomacy remains alive, even amid military escalation.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Also on the Agenda
Beyond Ukraine, Trump said the conversation veered into Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He revealed that Putin offered to participate in the negotiations and might play a role in accelerating a deal.
“It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision… and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” Trump said.
U.S. negotiators have been in back-and-forth talks with Tehran aimed at freezing enrichment levels and re-imposing oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Putin’s interest in facilitating progress adds a new geopolitical twist, particularly amid growing ties between Tehran and Moscow.
Backdrop of High-Stakes Diplomacy
Wednesday’s phone call marks Trump’s second known conversation with Putin since May 19, part of a broader push by the U.S. to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. However, Trump conceded that despite ongoing diplomatic talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, a ceasefire is not yet within reach.
“This isn’t going to be resolved overnight,” said a senior administration official speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the discussions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Russia’s latest ceasefire proposal as an ultimatum, insisting on face-to-face talks with Putin and renewed U.S. mediation before any serious agreements can be considered.
Drone Strike Shakes the Battlefield
The Ukrainian drone attack has emerged as one of the most symbolically potent and militarily impactful strikes of the conflict. By hitting Russian military infrastructure deep inside the country, Ukraine demonstrated advanced operational reach—and sent a message about its capabilities even without NATO membership.
The White House confirmed that President Trump had not been informed in advance of the drone operation, reflecting the ongoing independence of Ukrainian military planning, even as U.S. and European leaders continue to supply arms and intelligence support.
What Comes Next?
Despite the promise of future conversations, neither Trump nor Putin has announced any concrete steps toward de-escalation. Officials suggest that Putin’s threatened retaliation could escalate fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces continue to hold ground.
Simultaneously, domestic and international pressure is mounting on Trump to deliver tangible progress, especially as the war strains NATO unity and triggers global energy market volatility.
“We remain committed to a diplomatic end to this conflict,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, “but we are realistic about the challenges ahead.”
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