Moscow (TDI): Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Thursday, made it clear that Moscow has no intention of abandoning its goals in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.
The nearly hour-long conversation took place amid stalled diplomatic efforts and fresh uncertainty over US military aid to Kyiv. The White House recently paused certain weapons shipments, triggering concern in Ukraine as it continues to face relentless Russian attacks.
“Our president emphasized that Russia will pursue the objectives it originally set, addressing the root causes that led to this crisis,” Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov told reporters. “Russia will not give up on these aims.”
Moscow has consistently pointed to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and the West’s influence in the region as the core issues driving the conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in early 2022. The war has resulted in massive casualties and widespread destruction, especially in Ukraine’s east and south.
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Despite reaffirming Russia’s military stance, Ushakov said Putin expressed a willingness to continue peace talks. “President Putin conveyed that Russia remains open to dialogue and is still seeking a negotiated political settlement,” he added.
During the call, Putin reportedly told Trump that broader international tensions, especially in the Middle East following recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, should be handled through diplomatic channels, not confrontation.
The phone discussion came as Ukraine reported at least eight civilian deaths from Russian airstrikes on Thursday. President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Denmark at the time, meeting with European leaders to secure further support.
The pause in US arms shipments has raised alarm in Kyiv. Zelensky, speaking in Copenhagen, said the uncertainty surrounding American support reinforces the urgency of closer ties with NATO and the EU. He also expressed backing for what he described as Trump’s proposal for an “unconditional ceasefire.”
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Kyiv has since requested clarification from Washington about the halt in military aid. “Our defense and our people depend on this support,” Zelensky said. “It’s in both Ukraine’s and America’s interest to maintain it.”
Moscow, meanwhile, has repeatedly called on Western governments to cut off military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that continued arms deliveries only prolong the war.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
