Ukraine claims success against drone strikes following Trump-Putin call
- Ukraine and Russia accused each other of conducting drone strikes overnight, escalating tensions.
- The incidents followed a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussing ceasefire negotiations.
- Despite diplomatic efforts, military activities continue, and experts suggest Putin aims for Ukraine to surrender.
Ukraine is in the midst of a conflict with Russia, with accusations flying between the two nations regarding drone strikes launched overnight. This escalation of hostilities occurred shortly after a nearly two-hour phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday. During the call, although Trump expressed optimism for immediate ceasefire negotiations, Putin seemed hesitant, reiterating that he is open to discussing a possible ceasefire provided that certain agreements are established. Shortly after the call, Ukraine's Air Force reported the launch of 108 Shahed drones by Russia, stating that air defenses successfully intercepted 93 of them in various regions across the country. This information was shared on the Air Force's Telegram channel, highlighting the ongoing military engagements amid diplomatic undertakings. Following the discussions between Trump and Putin, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pointed out that the expected peace initiatives have not brought about any changes in the current status quo. The European leaders have since decided to impose additional sanctions on Russia, reflecting the urgent need for external actions to address the ongoing conflict. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remarked on Monday about the pressure that would increase on Russia post-briefing with Trump, suggesting further ramifications for Russia's military actions. Trump's reluctance to impose new sanctions stems from a belief that there might be potential for progress in negotiations and that sanctions could complicate the situation further. Ukraine plans to discuss where the next round of talks will be held, with a focus on achieving a ceasefire first. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that no definitive decisions regarding the continuation of contacts with Ukraine had been made yet. Meanwhile, analysts highlight that Putin's real intention is for Ukraine to capitulate and disarm, thus neutralizing its defense capabilities, underlining the critical underlying issues that exacerbate the conflict.