Former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “end the war” in Ukraine after Russia resumed large-scale missile and drone strikes following a brief pause, heightening tensions around ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Trump’s remarks came as Russian forces launched renewed attacks across several Ukrainian regions, targeting cities and critical energy infrastructure. The strikes disrupted electricity and heating supplies in parts of the country, compounding civilian hardship as Ukraine continues to face the prolonged impact of the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
In public comments, Trump appealed directly to Putin to halt hostilities and pursue a negotiated settlement, arguing that continued fighting serves little purpose and prolongs suffering. His statement drew attention amid renewed international focus on de-escalation and talks aimed at reducing violence between the two sides.
Ukrainian authorities strongly condemned the renewed strikes, accusing Moscow of undermining peace efforts and deliberately attacking infrastructure vital to civilian life. Ukrainian officials have consistently said that sustained military pressure weakens trust and makes meaningful negotiations more difficult, particularly when attacks follow periods of relative calm.
Russia has defended its actions by reiterating its security concerns and long-standing demands, maintaining that any pause in fighting does not indicate a change in its broader military objectives. The Kremlin has previously said that a lasting settlement would require addressing what it describes as the root causes of the conflict, including security guarantees and territorial issues.
The latest escalation underscores the fragility of diplomatic initiatives surrounding the war. While calls from global figures such as Trump add to international pressure for an end to the fighting, the resumption of strikes highlights how far apart the two sides remain, with prospects for a durable ceasefire still uncertain.