Trump Says Putin Will Retaliate for Ukrainian Drone Strike, Offers to Help on Iran Nukes

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had a lengthy phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Putin reportedly stated his intent to respond to Ukraine’s drone strike on Russian air bases.

Trump shared details of the hour-long call,asting about 75 minutes, on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The drone attack, which took place on Sunday, was a major escalation by Ukraine, reaching deep into Russian territory. Security officials claimed that the strike destroyed around 40 Russian military bombers. Trump also revealed that Putin expressed interest in participating in nuclear negotiations with Iran, as the United States continues efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump has previously voiced frustration with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as ceasefire talks between the two countries remain stalled.

“I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia,” Trump wrote. “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. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”

Trump also addressed the Iranian nuclear issue during the call, saying, “We also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly! I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement. 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.”

This was the first known phone call between Trump and Putin since May, when the two leaders last spoke for two hours.