Putin Assures Trump Russia Has No Aggressive Plans Toward Europe

KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured US President Donald Trump that Moscow has no aggressive intentions toward European countries, the Kremlin said following a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov described the hour-long conversation as constructive and frank, saying Putin addressed concerns over alleged Russian hostile activities in Europe. The White House did not immediately issue a statement on the call.

The conversation came as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, despite renewed US diplomatic efforts to facilitate an end to the conflict. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff recently held separate meetings with Putin in Moscow and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said the US envoys had presented several proposals that he described as worthwhile ideas for advancing peace efforts. He expressed hope that negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States could resume in the coming months.

Despite the diplomatic activity, fighting has continued. Russian and Ukrainian forces resumed heavy aerial attacks following a temporary reduction in strikes during the US envoys’ visits. Ukrainian authorities said Russian attacks killed seven people and injured 28 in Kyiv and the surrounding region. More than 50 sites, including residential buildings, schools, shops and other facilities, were reportedly damaged.

Russia said its overnight strikes targeted Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, including locations associated with drones, cruise missiles and military logistics. Kyiv condemned the attacks, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha describing them as a serious blow to diplomatic efforts.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was seeking additional Patriot air-defence systems to protect its cities and critical infrastructure. The European Commission has also approved a €3.2 billion loan to help Ukraine procure components for Patriot systems.

The conflict remains largely deadlocked along a front line stretching about 1,250 kilometres, while both sides have increasingly relied on long-range drones and missiles. Moscow says it remains confident of achieving its military objectives, whereas Ukrainian and Western officials maintain that Russian forces have made limited progress on the battlefield.

The latest developments underscore the difficulty of achieving a diplomatic settlement as Washington seeks to revive negotiations while Russia and Ukraine continue military operations and maintain sharply different positions on territorial and security issues.