U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin resulted in "no progress at all," casting further uncertainty over international efforts to de-escalate the ongoing war in Ukraine. The statement comes amid growing alarm in Kyiv as critical U.S. arms deliveries remain paused and Russian drone attacks continue to devastate the Ukrainian capital.
The Trump–Putin conversation marked the first direct communication between the two leaders in nearly three years. According to sources familiar with the call, Trump attempted to discuss possibilities for reducing hostilities, but no concrete outcomes emerged. The Kremlin has remained silent on the details of the exchange, and Trump later confirmed publicly that the dialogue had yielded no signs of compromise or advancement.
Simultaneously, Trump is set to hold a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later today to discuss the U.S. decision to temporarily halt several key arms shipments to Ukraine. The pause includes Patriot air defense missiles, precision-guided munitions, GMLRS rockets, and AIM missiles for Ukraine’s U.S.-donated F-16s.
The delay has alarmed Ukrainian officials, who summoned the acting U.S. deputy chief of mission in Kyiv earlier this week to express deep concern. Zelenskiy’s office considers the suspension a serious risk to national defense at a time when Russian aerial attacks have intensified sharply.
Overnight, Russia launched an extensive drone strike on Kyiv, injuring at least 14 civilians and igniting fires in multiple districts. A 16-story residential building in the Obolon district suffered rooftop damage, while other attacks disrupted railway infrastructure and damaged parked vehicles. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that air defenses intercepted many drones, but falling debris caused substantial destruction.
As Ukraine struggles to repel these air raids, NATO allies, including Denmark, have warned that halting U.S. support could undermine both Ukraine’s defense and broader European security.
The U.S. State Department has said the aid pause is due to an internal review and not a permanent halt. However, the timing has fueled concern among Ukrainian leaders and Western observers alike, especially following Trump’s unproductive call with Putin.
The upcoming conversation between Trump and Zelenskiy is expected to be pivotal in determining whether U.S. support will resume promptly or if Ukraine will need to look elsewhere for urgent military assistance.
With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight and the battlefield situation worsening, Ukraine is pushing hard for clarity and renewed commitment from Washington. The days ahead may prove decisive in shaping both Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities and the trajectory of Western involvement in the conflict.