Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov has revealed new details about President Vladimir Putin‘s two-hour Monday phone call with Donald Trump.
Speaking with Russian state-run news agency Interfax, Ushakov said Putin shared details about Ukrainian attacks that Russia claims to have repelled ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9.
Newsweek has contacted Russia’s Foreign Ministry for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Until Ushakov’s remarks were published, few details were known about Monday’s call, aside from Trump’s reported attempt to initiate peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
What To Know
According to Ushakov, Putin told Trump that Russian security services had thwarted “terrorist attacks” near the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow between May 6 and 7.
He claimed Ukrainian drone and Storm Shadow missile attacks were launched ahead of Russia’s Victory Day celebration, Moscow’s annual commemoration of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
This year marked the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day celebrations. Putin typically uses them to show off Russia’s military power and invites foreign leaders to a parade in Red Square.
Ukraine aimed to “intimidate foreign leaders and prevent them from coming to Moscow,” said Ushakov.
Putin, “of course, did not mention this to Trump by accident, since the Ukrainians directly threatened foreign participants in the festive events,” the presidential aide said.
“This topic was discussed in sufficient detail during yesterday’s conversation between the two presidents, and it is worth special mention,” Ushakov said.
All four airports in Moscow were forced to temporarily suspend operations between May 6 and 7 because of drone threats. About 60,000 people were impacted after at least 350 flights were canceled or delayed, independent Russian-language outlet Meduza reported.
Trump and Putin’s call was part of Washington’s latest attempt to bring three-years of full-scale war in Ukraine to an end, but it offered no major breakthrough.
After the call, Trump said Moscow and Kyiv would resume direct negotiations on a possible ceasefire, while once again saying the U.S. would abandon the process if talks stall.
“I think something’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t, I just back away and they’re going to have to keep going,” he told reporters, nevertheless calling the talks “productive.”
The Kremlin said the phone call was “frank and friendly,” revealing that the two leaders addressed each other by their first names and neither wanted to hang up first.
What People Are Saying
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on May 7 of the Ukrainian attacks: “It is absolutely true that the Russian sky—the sky of the aggressor—is also restless today.”
Zelensky said on Monday: “It is crucial for all of us that the United States does not distance itself from the talks and the pursuit of peace, because the only one who benefits from that is Putin.”
German Defense Minsiter Boris Pistorius said: “Vladimir Putin is evidently continuing to play for time—that is also very clear to see. And so, even though Russia is willing to talk about a memorandum, there is still no ceasefire in sight…That is, at least, my assessment. There is no timeline. So unfortunately, one has to say that Putin still does not appear to be seriously interested in peace or a ceasefire—at least not under conditions that are acceptable to others.”
Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt said on X (formerly Twitter): “Undoubtedly a win for Putin as he deflected the call for an an immediate ceasefire and instead can continue military operations at the same time as he puts pressure on [Ukraine] at the negotiating table. Putin undoubtedly intends to talk about ceasefire until all his conditions on limiting [Ukraine’s] sovereignty are met.”
What Happens Next
Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine are due to resume, “immediately,” according to Trump. But the Kremlin has said “there are no deadlines and there cannot be any.”
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