RFE
05 Jul 2025, 13:58 GMT+10
US President Donald Trump has said that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin understands that more sanctions may be coming, as Moscow continues to reject Washingtons push for a cease-fire in Ukraine.
Speaking on Air Force One on July 4, Trump said: You know, we talk about sanctions a lot and he understands that it may be coming.
Trumps remarks elaborated on his earlier comment that he was disappointed by his phone call withPutinon July 3.
"He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it's no good," he said, adding that he was very unhappy with the Kremlin leader.
Hours earlier, Trump had a phone call with VolodymyrZelenskyythat the Ukrainian President described as a "very important and useful conversation."
Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on the United States to impose greater sanctions on Russia to force Moscow to the negotiating table.
Since taking the office, Trump has not imposed any new sanctions on Russia. His administration has also relaxed enforcement, experts say. Trump has countered that imposing sanctions on Russia would hurt peace negotiations.
Trump also confirmed that he and Zelenskyy had spoken about air defense, a key issue in Ukraine as Russia has massively stepped up itsaerial bombardmentof Kyiv and other cities this year.
SEE ALSO:
Analysis: Amid Stalled Talks, Russia Has Massively Increased Air Attacks On Ukraine
The two men spoke following a huge drone and missile assault that Kyiv said was the largest of the war so far. Their conversation also followed a recent US decision to halt someweapons suppliesto Ukraine, which include Patriot air defense missiles according to US media reports.
The Patriot missile system is absolutely valuable, and to take that away is a huge problem for Ukraine, US-based analystKervin Aucointold RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service.
The removal of this aid by the United States to Ukraine, it has emboldened the Russians, it is emboldening Vladimir Putin to attack more areas within Ukraine, added Aucoin, who was formerly an intelligence analyst in the US military.
Zelenskyy indicated that he had raised this with Trump.
"We discussed the possibilities of air defense and agreed that we will work on increasing the protection of the sky."
He added that they had agreed a corresponding meeting of our teams."
Also on July 4, Trump discussed Patriot missiles in a call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of a series of conversations he had with Western leaders on US Independence Day.
Berlin has raised the possibility that it would buy Patriots from Washington and then provide them to Kyiv.
Meanwhile, there were reports of fatalities as fighting continued in various regions of Ukraine.
Emergency services extinguish a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on July 5.
Three people were killed and 30 injured over 24 hours as a result of Russian strikes on Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions, according to data from regional military administrations.
Among the injured were a 10-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl.
"Civil infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed: in the Kupyansky district, two apartment buildings, a school, two private houses, a shop were damaged; in the Chuguyiv district, a dormitory, a service station, 10 cars, postal infrastructure, and an inoperative building were damaged," an official statement said.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that overnight Russia had launched 322 drones at Ukraine.
In Russia, officials in Voronezh and Saratov regions reported Ukrainian drone strikes. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that 94 Ukrainian drones were allegedly shot down overnight in multiple regions.
There were no reports of casualties.
Ukraine said its special forces had attacked Borisoglebsk air field in Russias Voronezh region.
"A warehouse with guided bombs, a combat training aircraft, and probably other aircraft were hit. The results of the hit are being clarified," the Ukrainian General Staff said. It added that the attack was aimed at reducing Russias ability to bomb Ukraine.
Battlefield claims by both sides could not be verified.
Get a daily dose of Calgary Monitor news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Calgary Monitor.
More InformationTORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
US President Donald Trump has said that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin understands that more sanctions may be coming, as Moscow...
These July 4 protests stood in stark contrast to Trump's America 250 initiative, launched on Memorial Day in May to count down to the...
China is becoming cooler because of decades of consistent, people-centered development. The United States is losing its appeal due...
BEIJING, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is once again casting a wary eye eastward, as alarmist claims of a new China shock...
(Photo credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images) Minnesota United will be at near full-strength when they meet banged-up FC Dallas for...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia will not ease its strict biosecurity rules during trade talks with the United States, Prime Minister Anthony...
(Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images) Boston right-hander Walker Buehler looks to put a horrid six-start stretch behind him when...
(Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images) The Toronto Blue Jays aim to extend their season-best winning streak to seven games in...