Phone Conversation Between U.S. and Russian Presidents
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation, marking their first direct communication in 2026. However, the call drew a lukewarm response from Kyiv, as previous discussions have yielded no tangible outcomes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted with a restrained social media post on Thursday, instructing his team to investigate the specifics of the conversation—particularly a proposed short-term ceasefire that could take effect next month.
By Thursday morning, news of the Trump-Putin call had barely surfaced on Ukrainian news platforms. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the Verkhovna Rada's foreign policy committee, remarked,
'We no longer pay much attention to these calls because they produce no meaningful results.'He added that, given the track record of Trump's phone diplomacy, 'collectively, they amount to zero'—a sentiment echoed by Alina Kryvenko, who stated, 'I think it means nothing.'
Expectations and Reactions
Zelensky is expected to agree to a ceasefire on May 9, which coincides with Russia's World War II Victory Day. Meanwhile, Moscow has significantly scaled back its military parade plans on Red Square. A survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) showed that in December 2024, most Ukrainians viewed Trump's return positively. Yet, within a year, approximately three-quarters of Ukrainians considered it bad news. Last month, nearly three-quarters of KIIS respondents expressed doubt that U.S.-mediated negotiations would lead to lasting peace.
Following a May phone call, Trump dropped the demand for an immediate ceasefire and endorsed Russia's proposed framework for direct talks on a broad agreement. Notably, after meeting Putin in Alaska in August, Trump also backed Moscow's call for Ukraine to cede significant territory in the east. At the same time, Ukraine continues to bolster its defense industry, securing over $100 billion in new funding from the European Union.
On Thursday, just hours after the Trump-Putin call, Ukrainian forces struck oil facilities near the city of Perm. NASA satellites detected multiple fires in the Perm region, underscoring Ukraine's ongoing military operations despite diplomatic efforts.
This phone conversation between Trump and Putin highlights the persistent tensions between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the lack of progress in peace negotiations. The Ukrainian government's reaction reflects skepticism about the potential outcomes of such calls, mirroring the broader context of military conflict and political dynamics in the region. At the same time, Ukraine's intensified military actions demonstrate that the country remains steadfast in defending its territorial integrity, regardless of diplomatic initiatives.
The skepticism surrounding U.S.-Russia dialogues is not new, as highlighted in a recent analysis discussing the lack of progress after numerous Trump-Putin calls. This ongoing disillusionment among Ukrainians raises critical questions about the effectiveness of U.S.-mediated peace efforts. For a deeper understanding of how this sentiment has evolved, consider exploring the insights shared in the article on Ukraine's diminishing faith in U.S. intervention.