Trump: “I’m disappointed in Putin” — Call Yields No Progress on Ukraine

President Donald Trump has expressed disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin following their latest phone conversation, which failed to produce any progress toward ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters shortly after the call, Trump said that Putin showed no willingness to change course or de-escalate the conflict, despite repeated appeals.

“I’m very disappointed in the conversation with Putin because I don’t think he intends to stop,” Trump stated. “And that’s unfortunate. There was no progress. Zero.” According to the U.S. president, the leaders spoke for about an hour in what was their sixth official phone conversation since the beginning of 2025.

During the call, Trump once again raised the issue of halting hostilities and urged Putin to consider a ceasefire. However, he reported seeing no signs of flexibility or compromise. Instead, Putin made it clear that Russia would continue pursuing its objectives in Ukraine. The White House described the call as “candid but unproductive.”

In contrast, the Kremlin provided a different characterization of the discussion. Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, said the exchange was “frank, businesslike, and specific.” According to Ushakov, Putin reiterated Russia’s commitment to a diplomatic solution but firmly stated that Moscow would not abandon the core goals of its so-called “special military operation.” The Russian side emphasized that eliminating what it calls the “root causes of the conflict” remains a non-negotiable priority.

Ushakov added that the possibility of an in-person meeting between the two leaders was not discussed during this call, though he admitted the idea “remains in the air.” He also noted that the conversation touched on broader international topics, including the situation in Syria, Iran, and the Middle East, as well as future cooperation in energy, space, and cultural initiatives aimed at promoting “traditional values” that both sides allegedly share.

Trump, for his part, confirmed that he plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming days. He emphasized that the United States will continue its diplomatic outreach to both Moscow and Kyiv, even though expectations for meaningful progress remain low. “We’re doing everything we can to bring peace to Europe, but it can’t happen unilaterally,” he said.

So far, none of the six calls between Trump and Putin this year have resulted in any tangible breakthroughs or movement toward a negotiated settlement. Western officials reacted to the latest exchange with caution, reiterating that they see no real indication that the Kremlin is prepared to engage in sincere negotiations. As the war grinds on, diplomatic efforts remain stalled and the gap between the two sides appears as wide as ever.