Donald Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, but he signaled a ceasefire with Ukraine remains out of reach.
The president posted on Truth Social that the two leaders spoke for more than an hour.
“We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides,” Trump wrote. “It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.”
The president said Putin told him that he will “have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
However, Trump did not post what that response might include.
On Sunday, Ukraine pulled off an unprecedented strike on Russian airfields. The bold attack involved smuggling drones deep into Russia, which were then used to destroy or damage at least a dozen Russian aircraft.
Trump has remained silent on the strike after previously suggesting Ukraine did not hold the cards for victory as he attempts to broker a deal.
The call on Wednesday came after Trump spoke with Putin last month by phone for two hours.
The president also praised that conversation, but he has since grown increasingly frustrated over the lack of a peace agreement materializing.
Trump has confirmed that he is considering increased sanctions on Russia, but he has not taken action.
Last week, the president unleashed on Putin on Truth Social and warned he was “playing with fire” after Russia launched a deadly drone and missile assault on cities across Ukraine.
The president wrote in response that “something has happened” to Putin and he had “gone absolutely CRAZY!”
Russian and Ukrainian officials met on Monday for direct talks, but there was no breakthrough during the sit-down in Turkey.
On Wednesday, both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traded barbs during their appearances.
Zelensky blasted Russia for giving what he called an “ultimatum,” but he said he was ready to meet with Russia and the U.S.
Putin, speaking to his cabinet ministers, appeared to reject such a meeting and claimed Ukraine is not looking for peace after the drone attack.
As Trump pushes for a ceasefire deal, the Senate is also prepared to move forward this month with further sanctions on Russia, but the timeline remains unclear.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that the president has kept sanctions “as a tool in his toolbox if necessary.”
In his post on Wednesday, Trump also said that he and Putin discussed Iran and wrote that the two leaders agreed that the country should not have a nuclear weapon.
The president suggested that Putin would be involved in discussions with Iran.
“It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking [sic] their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” Trump wrote.
