Trump Says Putin Plans to Respond 'Very Strongly' to Ukraine's Drone Strike on Russia

What Happened?

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he and Russia's Vladimir Putin have spoken following a series of recent attacks from Ukraine.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he and the Russian president spoke by telephone for a little over an hour to discuss the strike on Russia’s docked airplanes and other Ukrainian-led attacks.

'It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace,' Trump said. 'President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.'

Trump added that his discussion included Iran and the limited time for a nuclear weapons decision with the U.S.

'I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,' he said.

Trump, who believes Iran has been 'slow walking' their decision, expects a definitive answer soon and claims that Putin could help get it done.

He said that Putin had suggested he would participate in those discussions.

Why it Matters

These developments display that Trump still believes in U.S.-Russian relations.

It also highlights Russia's previous standstill has taken several significant steps back.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Tuesday claimed a massive underwater attack that targeted Russia's Kerch Strait Bridge and successfully damaged its underwater pillars.

It's a key bridge that reportedly connects the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula to Russia's Krasnodar Krai region.

SBU agents detailed its operation on the platform Telegram which it said 'lasted several months’ and used 1,100 kg of TNT equivalent explosives to conduct the operation.

It follows a tradition of attacks Ukraine's lieutenant general had stated hit the ‘illegal facility’ in 2022 and 2023.

Ukraine also successfully conducted its biggest long-range attack against Russia after managing to smuggle 117 drones at four perimeter air bases on Sunday.

Total damages have been estimated to cost the Kremlin as much as $7 billion.

These attacks had come as a surprise after both sides agreed on Monday to swap 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed during the war.

Tuesday's bridge attack came as Russia reportedly stated it was wrong to expect a quick breakthrough in Ukraine talks.

Moscow rejected Kyiv’s call on Monday for an unconditional ceasefire during its latest negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey.

How it Affects You

Russia's intentions come as expected following major blows to its military arsenal.

But Ukraine had also recently spoken with Trump to discuss 'defense support' strategies and press for tougher sanctions on Russia.

The three-year war, and counting, has forced millions of Ukrainians from their homes and is continuing to increase the death toll which has reached over 1 million troops combined.

Although Trump may not support the latest tone from both sides, it still shows the U.S.’s patience in a non-biased broker relationship.

It's a stance that could potentially backfire if expectations remain foreseeably low for a permanent ceasefire.