Hours after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up a 55-minute phone call about ending the war in Ukraine, Russian drones and missiles slammed into Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv.
The June 14 phone call, which happened to fall on Trump’s 80th birthday, was described by Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov as “friendly and frank.” Trump reportedly emphasized his interest in helping facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with Trump on the same day. Then came the strikes.
Since early 2025, Russian military strikes have correlated with Trump-Putin conversations.
Diplomacy stalls while missiles fly
