Ukrainian authorities have reported an overnight attack by Russia involving kamikaze drones and S-300 surface-to-air missiles, occurring shortly after a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump. The call, which lasted over two hours on Tuesday evening, culminated in an agreement for a moratorium on strikes targeting energy and infrastructure, although a full 30-day ceasefire requested by Trump was declined by Putin.

In the immediate aftermath of the call, air raid sirens were activated in Kyiv, where approximately 45 drones targeted the surrounding region. Ukrainian anti-aircraft defences engaged in response, with reports indicating damage to multiple homes and vehicles in Bucha and adjacent areas. Two individuals sustained injuries in these attacks, while a drone also struck a hospital in the eastern city of Sumy, necessitating the evacuation of over 100 patients. Tragically, a civilian was reported dead in a nearby village during a separate incident linked to the drone strikes. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his sentiments on social media platform Telegram, stating, “In many regions we can exactly hear what it is that Russia wants.”

Conversely, Ukraine has persistently launched long-range drone assaults against Russian territory, reportedly hitting an oil depot in Krasnodar. Russia’s defence ministry asserted that they countered this threat by destroying 57 Ukrainian drones, primarily in the Kursk region. This area has seen recent withdrawals of Ukrainian forces, who have occupied it for the last seven months.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, announced to Fox News that discussions regarding the peace deal are scheduled to commence this Sunday, stating, “We have some details to work out of course, but that will begin on Sunday in Jeddah, and beyond that we’ll move to a full ceasefire.” Trump himself described the conversation with Putin as “very good and productive,” highlighting an agreement on an immediate ceasefire on energy and infrastructure. He further conveyed aspirations for a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the conflict.

Despite the seemingly positive developments, concerns linger about the implications of any potential agreement, as many Western leaders question whether it may compel Ukraine to concede unfavourable terms amidst Russia’s continued military demands. A statement from the Kremlin conveyed that while Putin ordered a halt to strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, a complete ceasefire hinges on the cessation of Western military aid to Ukraine. The Kremlin emphasised that halting foreign military support is a crucial precondition for reducing tensions.

During his remarks on Fox News, Trump refuted the notion that the issue of military aid was brought up during his discussion with Putin, claiming, “We talked about a lot of things but aid was never discussed.” Canada has reacted to the political developments, where Zelenskyy indicated his intent to seek further clarity from Trump regarding the specifics of the conversation with Putin.

Trump’s former counterpart in the UK, Boris Johnson, publicly expressed his disillusionment with the outcomes of the Trump-Putin talks. Johnson, who previously championed strong support for Ukraine during his premiership, commented that Putin’s refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire reflects a persistent willingness to “keep bombing and killing innocent Ukrainians.” His frustrations were expressed via social media, alluding to Putin’s intentions to further destabilise Ukraine, encapsulating a decisive shift in sentiment compared to Johnson’s earlier expectations of Trump’s negotiating capabilities.

In Moscow, high-ranking officials, including Dmitry Medvedev, conveyed satisfaction with the dialogue between Trump and Putin. Medvedev remarked that the phone call reinforced the view that the key players in the peace negotiations are predominantly Russia and the US. He asserted, “There is only Russia and America in the dining room,” while derisively referencing European nations and downplaying their roles in the discussions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.

If adhered to by both nations, the proposed cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure would mark a notable development in the ongoing conflict, representing the first partial ceasefire in over three years since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Source: Noah Wire Services