Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday that Russia would have to react to Ukrainian drone attacks directed at its nuclear-capable bomber fleet, while at the same time labeling ongoing peace talks with Ukraine as "useful.
The Ukrainian conflict has increased in intensity sharply following almost four months of heated diplomatic efforts and threats by Trump to both Kyiv and Moscow. Trump has consistently spoken about his desire for peace during the deadliest European war since World War II, which has raged for more than three years.
After the Ukrainian bombings of bridges and Russia's bomber force deep inside Siberia, as well as the far north, Putin doubted Ukraine's intentions regarding peace.
Within hours of discussions with top ministers in Moscow regarding the raids, Trump announced that he had a one-hour and 15-minute call with Putin, discussing the Ukrainian raids and matters pertaining to Iran.
"We talked about the bombing of Russia's parked planes, by Ukraine, and other various attacks that have been ongoing by both sides. It was a great talk, but not a discussion that will result in immediate peace," Trump posted on social media.
Russia has undertaken many large-scale air attacks against Ukraine in the last few weeks.
"President Putin did indicate, and very forcefully, that he will have to respond to the recent strike at the airfields," Trump went on.
Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, added that in the course of the call, the Russian president called the negotiations on ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv productive, despite what he referred to as Ukraine's attempts to "disrupt" them.
"I want to emphasize that our president reported in detail on the substance of the talks and that these talks in general were productive," Ushakov said.
He further added that memorandums on peace plans had been traded and would be studied, with hopes that both sides could resume negotiations after.
The two leaders also briefly discussed other international concerns, such as the Middle East crisis and how Russia could help deal with Iran and its nuclear goals.
Speaking about Iran, Trump said he thought Putin concurred with Washington that Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon," and accused Tehran of "slowwalking" negotiations.
Even though the Ukrainian attacks on Russia's nuclear-capable bombers, one of the three legs of Russia's nuclear triad, are serious, Trump has so far remained conspicuously silent. Moscow, however, has called on the U.S. and the U.K. to contain Ukraine.
The Kremlin stated that Trump informed Putin that Washington received no advance notice of the Ukrainian attacks. Trump's Ukraine envoy meanwhile cautioned that the risk of escalating war had increased dramatically after the attacks.
Russia and the United States are still the world's dominant nuclear powers, collectively controlling about 88% of the world's nuclear arsenal.
Both countries have a nuclear "triad" of strategic bombers, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and attacking any part of it is a serious escalation.
In his most stern comments in months on the future of peace, Putin stated on Wednesday that the recent attacks on the bridges were aimed at civilians and denounced Ukraine's leadership as a "terrorist organisation" backed by countries that have become "terrorist accomplices."
"The present regime in Kyiv doesn't need peace at all," Putin added, speaking during a meeting with top officials. "What are we supposed to negotiate about? How are we going to negotiate with terrorists?"
Ukraine has not commented on the claims of involvement in attacks on the bridge. While it denies attacking civilians, Russia also does not do so, although both sides have witnessed civilian deaths.
Kyiv has also accused Moscow of a lack of serious interest in peace, pointing to Russia's refusal to an immediate ceasefire. Russia says some requirements have to be met first.
In his public statements, Putin did not mention the bomber raids which followed just before Russia and Ukraine held direct peace talks in Istanbul, where Moscow put forward what the U.S. has termed "maximalist" demands.
Before Putin spoke, Russian officials threatened to have military options "on the table" in response to Ukrainian attacks deep within Russian borders and blamed the West for being involved.
"We appeal to London and Washington to respond in a way that will prevent further escalation," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Interfax news agency. Ryabkov handles U.S. relations and arms control.
British and U.S. officials reported they were unaware of the recent attacks on Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers prior to the incidents. The White House verified that Trump was not previously informed regarding Ukraine's drone strikes.
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