As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to former U.S. President Donald Trump, vowing a response to recent high-profile Ukrainian attacks on Russian military infrastructure — including nuclear-capable bombers and a bridge Moscow claims was targeted by Kyiv.In a phone call lasting over an hour on Wednesday, Putin and Trump reportedly discussed Ukraine’s growing offensive, particularly the drone strikes on Russian bombers stationed deep within Siberia and the far north. These attacks, along with a deadly bombing of a key bridge, have drawn sharp rebukes from Moscow.Trump, who has positioned himself as a mediator seeking peace in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, shared details of the conversation on social media. “It was a good conversation,” he said, “but not one that will lead to immediate peace.” He noted that Putin was firm about needing to respond to the recent Ukrainian airfield strike.Putin, in remarks made at a high-level meeting with top ministers in Moscow, accused Ukraine of showing no interest in peace, claiming its leadership operates as a “terrorist organisation” backed by foreign powers he called “terrorist accomplices.” He cited attacks on bridges and infrastructure he said were aimed at civilians.”The Kyiv regime is not interested in peace,” Putin declared. “How can negotiations happen with those who rely on terror?”Kyiv has not officially commented on the recent bridge attacks and continues to deny targeting civilians, a claim mirrored by Moscow. Both sides have suffered civilian casualties.Despite not addressing the bomber strikes directly in his public comments, Putin’s government made clear the response options are open — and military retaliation is under serious consideration.Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov pointed to growing Western involvement, urging the U.S. and U.K. to take steps to de-escalate tensions. “We call on London and Washington to respond appropriately to avoid further escalation,” he told Interfax, adding that military responses are “on the table.”U.S. and British officials have denied having prior knowledge of Ukraine’s strikes, including the drone attack on long-range bombers. The White House has stated that Trump, too, was not informed ahead of time.The conversation between Trump and Putin also touched on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump claimed Putin shared U.S. concerns that Tehran must not acquire a nuclear weapon and accused Iran of stalling negotiations.While Trump has largely avoided direct commentary on Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet — one leg of the country’s nuclear triad — the Kremlin insists Washington must rein in Kyiv to prevent further escalation.The United States and Russia remain the two dominant nuclear powers globally, jointly possessing nearly 90% of the world’s nuclear arsenal. Both countries maintain a “nuclear triad” of land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and strategic bombers — any attack on these systems is considered a severe provocation.With Putin’s increasingly hawkish rhetoric and Ukraine’s long-range capabilities reaching deeper into Russian territory, the prospect of a peaceful resolution appears as distant as ever. The risk of escalation — intentional or accidental — continues to rise, casting a long shadow over ongoing international diplomatic efforts.
