Trump to Call Putin and Zelenskyy Amid Ceasefire Push as Ukraine Faces Largest Drone Barrage Yet
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to hold critical phone calls today with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the conflict in Ukraine reaches a new and deadly escalation.
According to the White House, Trump will speak with Putin at 14:00 GMT before holding back-to-back calls with Zelenskyy and several NATO leaders. The high-stakes diplomacy comes as Ukraine is reeling from what officials describe as the largest drone assault launched by Russia since the war began in February 2022.
273 Drones, Decoys and Destruction
Ukraine’s military reported that 273 Iranian-made Shahed drones and decoys were launched by Russia in a coordinated overnight attack. The targets included military sites, infrastructure, and civilian areas in Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv. Explosions lit up the night skies, and officials said several key power substations were hit. While Ukraine’s air defense reportedly intercepted a majority of the drones, dozens made it through.
“This was the most sustained and complex aerial assault we’ve faced,” said a Ukrainian military spokesperson. “It was designed to test our systems, deplete our missile stockpiles, and sow fear.”
Emergency crews are still combing through rubble. At least 19 civilians were injured, and thousands remain without power. Video shared on Telegram showed apartment buildings with blown-out windows and streets littered with shrapnel.
Trump Steps In — Again
Today’s scheduled calls mark a renewed effort by Trump to personally broker an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. Though the former president campaigned in 2024 on promises to “end the Ukraine war in 24 hours,” critics say his initial attempts lacked concrete proposals. Now back in office, Trump is taking a more hands-on role amid a spiraling crisis.
The timing is no coincidence. Trump is under increasing pressure at home — not only for his controversial Qatar jet gift but also for his ongoing feud with NATO allies and European partners. Some analysts believe the White House sees a diplomatic breakthrough in Ukraine as a way to reframe the narrative.
“It’s a high-risk, high-reward moment,” said Fiona McKenzie, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. “Trump knows that ending the war would be a legacy-defining move, but the stakes couldn’t be higher.”
Ceasefire Talks Gain Momentum
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met over the weekend with senior U.S. and EU officials in Rome, emphasizing that Ukraine remains committed to what he called “real diplomacy.”
“Ukraine wants peace — but not peace at any cost,” Zelenskyy said. “We need a just, durable resolution, not a temporary pause for Russia to reload.”
Meanwhile, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK held a separate joint call with Trump on Sunday, urging a unified stance and stressing that any ceasefire must be unconditional and credible.
A UK government spokesperson said leaders pushed Trump to “ensure Putin takes peace talks seriously.”
What’s at Stake
The drone barrage — a symbolic and strategic blow — underscores how fragile the battlefield remains. Kyiv has warned for months that Russia was stockpiling drones and missiles for a renewed summer offensive. Today’s attack appears to be the opening salvo.
For Trump, the phone calls represent more than just diplomacy — they are a test of his credibility as a dealmaker and commander-in-chief. For Zelenskyy, they are a chance to reinforce Ukraine’s position and reassert its red lines. And for Putin, they may be a calculated show of force designed to increase his leverage at the negotiating table.
Whether these calls will produce a breakthrough or simply delay further bloodshed remains to be seen. But after more than three years of war, the urgency for action — and consequences of failure — have never been greater.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops throughout the day.
