President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Russia plans to strike back after Ukraine destroyed a large number of Russian military aircraft in a surprise attack.
The Ukrainian strike, carried out by drones on Sunday, reportedly destroyed dozens of Russian planes. Analysts estimate the damage could cost Russia around $7 billion.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that lasted more than an hour. During that call, Putin made it clear that Russia would respond to Ukraine’s drone strike on Russian airfields.
“I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace,” Trump began. “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
Trump said the two leaders also spoke about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,” Trump said. “President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion.”
Trump criticized Iran for dragging its feet. “It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!”
Meanwhile, peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul on Monday ended quickly, with both sides walking away after just over an hour.
