The diplomatic exchange came just hours after Russia launched a second consecutive night of air strikes on the Ukrainian capital.

Russia currently occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, nearly all of Luhansk, and large portions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, along with parts of Sumy and Kharkiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump during a phone call that Moscow will not give up its goals in Ukraine as any remaining hope for a cease-fire in the more than 40-month war crumbles.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO, addressing frustrations with Russia over the war. Trump intends to make a major Russia-related statement soon, with potential U.

Putin tells Trump Russia remains firm on Ukraine goals but is ready for diplomacy. US pauses key weapons shipments to Ukraine amid call., Europe News - Times Now

For the Trump administration, which is still seeking a swift end to the conflict, that is undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow. But the drivers of Russian policy dictate that, even if it wanted to, the Kremlin is simply unable to climb down from its current foreign policy without risking ideological bankruptcy or economic upheaval, or both.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has formally stated he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person to negotiate a ceasef

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov revealed details of phone call between U.S. and Russian Presidents. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Iran, Ukraine and other issues in a “frank and constructive” phone call.

In a powerful display of Russian resolve, President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s strategic objectives during a one-hour phone call with US President Donald Trump. Despite Trump expressing disappointment over the lack of progress on a peace deal,

Putin claimed that Russia played a key part in forming the United States. Putin’s Independence Day Jab As the United States prepared to celebrate the Fourth of July, Vladimir Putin took a subtle dig at America during a call with President Trump.