Russia targets Ukraine’s bridges as Vladimir Putin expands air war

Russian President Vladimir Putin informed US President Donald Trump on Friday that Kyiv had jeopardized the prospects for swift resumption of trilateral Ukraine peace talks following Moscow's recent drone attacks during the country's recent election, according to the Kremlin. The US president has thus far struggled to arrange a peace deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously stated that Russia's war in Ukraine has reached a dangerous stalemate and the United States will persist in working towards a resolution to bring the conflict to an end. Putin mentioned that Moscow was prepared to resume negotiations with Kyiv after the recent Russian parliamentary elections, but the Ukraine regime conducted drone strikes on Moscow, other cities, polling stations, and prominent individuals involved in organizing the election on the day of voting.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov pointed out that the attacks by the Kyiv regime effectively thwarted any immediate resumption of the negotiation process.

Putin and Trump discussed major economic initiatives, including potential supplies of Russian fuel, during the phone call. However, Trump mentioned earlier on Friday that Russia had agreed to immediately supply diesel to US and global markets in an attempt to lower fuel prices before the US midterm elections next month. Analysts believe that the quantities supplied would likely have little impact on stabilizing prices.