Putin reiterated that Russia would only stop if the “root cause” is addressed i.e to halt the Eastward expansion of the NATO
The President of the United States (U.S.) – Donald Trump expressed disappointment after a phone call with the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin on Thursday, i.e., 3rd July’25, where Putin was apparently unwilling to end Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Addressing the media, Trump said that the nearly hour-long conversation yielded no progress toward a diplomatic breakthrough. Trump also said he would speak with the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking from Denmark, Zelenskyy, confirmed he is seeking to speak directly with Trump about the weapons issue.
The call came amid mounting pressure on Trump, including from within his own Republican Party, to take a firmer stance against the Kremlin and push for meaningful negotiations. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have stalled, mainly, and recent developments have heightened concern in both Washington and Kyiv.
Trump told the media, “I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there, and I’m very disappointed. I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”
After speaking to Putin on Thursday, Trump plans to speak to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday, he said in remarks to reporters on his return to Washington from a trip to Iowa.
According to Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, the two leaders did not discuss the U.S. decision to pause shipments of certain weapons to Ukraine. The halt, confirmed by Pentagon sources earlier, reportedly includes deliveries of Patriot missile defense systems, which are critical for intercepting Russian ballistic threats.
Trump attempted to clarify the U.S. position, saying that while some shipments have slowed, assistance has not been completely halted. He blamed the Former President of the U.S. – Joe Biden for excessive transfers of military equipment abroad.
Trump further said, “We’re giving weapons, but we’ve given so many weapons. But we are giving weapons. And we’re working with them and trying to help them, but we haven’t (completely stopped). You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.”
The uncertainty around U.S. support comes at a pivotal moment for Ukraine, as it braces for a potential Russian summer offensive amid heightened strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Putin reiterated that Russia would only stop if the “root cause” is addressed. Putin wants Western powers to halt the Eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He also wants NATO not to admit Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, or any other former Soviet Republic, a demand Western leaders have previously rebuffed. Moscow has also signaled resistance to any three-party peace talks involving the U.S., with Ukrainian officials claiming that Russian diplomats asked their American counterparts to leave a recent meeting in Istanbul.
