Putin tells Trump peace talks are unlikely, cites Ukraine drone attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin informed US President Donald Trump that an immediate restart of peace discussions with Ukraine is improbable, pointing to recent Ukrainian drone strikes against Moscow, the Kremlin announced.

During a telephone discussion on Friday, Putin indicated that although Russia had initially planned to reopen negotiations after holding its parliamentary vote, recent strikes on the capital altered those plans. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov explained that drone strikes targeting Moscow, additional municipalities, voting sites, and election personnel effectively halted efforts toward trilateral discussions involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Ushakov added that Moscow would have to determine at a later date when diplomatic meetings might potentially restart.

The setback emerges despite recent diplomatic momentum. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stated earlier in the week that Kyiv was prepared to participate in three-way negotiations alongside Washington and Moscow within the month. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted on Thursday that the battlefield conflict had reached a perilous standstill, emphasizing that Washington intended to pursue a negotiated settlement to conclude the fighting.

The phone exchange between the two leaders followed another controversial development. Trump announced Friday that Moscow had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel destined for American and international markets as fuel costs climb in the United States.

That arrangement drew swift condemnation from international partners and domestic officials. Zelenskyy strongly criticized the diesel pact, describing it as a "gift to Putin" and arguing that the generated revenue directly finances Russian military operations against Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader also suggested his administration was being utilized as a cover for commercial dealings.

European allies also signaled disapproval following the energy announcement. A spokesperson for the British government reaffirmed that the United Kingdom would preserve its stringent economic measures against Russia, emphasizing that it intends to uphold its rigorous sanctions policy to maintain continuous pressure on Moscow.