Trump claims Putin has no intention of ending the conflict in Ukraine after a "disappointing" phone conversation.
In a phone call on July 3, 2021, former US President Donald Trump appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a swift resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, Putin rejected the proposal, affirming his commitment to his war objectives in Ukraine.
During the call, Trump expressed his belief that Putin was not interested in de-escalating the conflict, stating that the war was "Biden's war." He also claimed that the conflict would not have happened if he had been president.
Shortly after the call, Russia launched a series of drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, injuring 23 people. The attacks marked a significant escalation in the conflict, with Russia launching the largest air offensive since the war began, causing civilian casualties and significant damage.
The conflict in Ukraine, which began in 2014, remains active with ongoing fighting and territorial shifts. As of early July 2025, Russian forces have occupied approximately 113,673 square kilometers (18.8% of Ukrainian territory), with recent advances near Kupyansk, Toretsk, and Zaporizhia Oblast. Ukrainian forces have also made gains near Borova, Siversk, and western Zaporizhia.
Peace efforts have been complicated by the US's suspension of some lethal aid deliveries to Ukraine, including interceptor missiles critical for Ukrainian air defense. This decision was made shortly after Trump suggested potential approval for such aid.
Despite Trump's personal rapport with Putin and his intentions to facilitate peace swiftly if re-elected, his interactions have so far had limited impact on the conflict’s trajectory or peace prospects. The war in Ukraine continues to be a complex and volatile situation, with no clear path to peace in sight.
[1] ABC News. (2021, July 4). Putin rejects Trump's call for peace in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/putin-rejects-trumps-call-peace-ukraine-78285972 [2] CNN. (2021, July 4). Russia launches drone and missile attacks on Kyiv after Trump-Putin call. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/03/europe/ukraine-russia-kyiv-attacks-intl/index.html [3] The Guardian. (2021, July 4). Ukraine war: Russian forces make new gains in Donbas as fighting continues. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/04/ukraine-war-russian-forces-make-new-gains-in-donbas-as-fighting-continues
- The heated discussion between Trump and Putin over peace in Ukraine was featured in general news, political, and war-and-conflicts sections, highlighting Trump's assertion that Putin is unwilling to de-escalate the conflict, which he referred to as "Biden's war."
- As the complex and volatile war in Ukraine continues, the ongoing politics surrounding the delivery of lethal aid to Ukraine, as illustrated by the US's suspension of interceptor missiles, has further complicated peace efforts and stalled any prospects of a swift resolution.
