Putin Tells Trump Russia Has No Aggressive Intent Toward Europe; Claims Victory Near in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin assured US President Donald Trump in a Tuesday phone call that Moscow harbours no aggressive intentions toward Europe, according to a senior Kremlin official. This came after European officials accused Moscow of sabotage campaigns on their territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that US envoys visiting Kyiv presented "very good, worthwhile ideas" for resolving the 4.5-year-old war, expressing hope to meet Trump within two weeks. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remains committed to its military objectives and believes victory is within reach. Ukrainian and Western observers dispute this, citing stalled Russian progress on the front line.

US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff held separate talks with Putin and Zelenskyy over the weekend. No major breakthrough emerged, and both sides resumed airstrikes after a weekend truce. Recent attacks killed at least five civilians in Kyiv and three in Russian-controlled areas.