President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he spoke directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin for over an hour, covering everything from the escalating war in Ukraine to the growing nuclear threat from Iran. The conversation, while cordial, made one thing clear: peace isn’t coming anytime soon.
“I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes.”
According to Trump, a major focus of the call was Ukraine’s recent drone attack deep inside Russian territory, which reportedly destroyed or disabled several bombers stationed at key airfields. While Russia claims the damage was limited, Ukrainian sources estimate the cost to Moscow may be as high as $7 billion.
“President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump said, warning that tensions remain dangerously high. Still, he called the conversation “good,” even if it wasn’t one that would “lead to immediate peace.”
But the stakes went beyond Europe. Iran’s refusal to finalize a new nuclear agreement with the U.S. was also on the table—and Trump didn’t hold back.
“We also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons,” he posted. “I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement.”
Trump added that Putin offered to personally weigh in with the Iranians to help get the stalled talks moving. “He could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion,” Trump said.
Still, Trump expressed frustration with Iran’s delay tactics, saying the regime is “slowwalking their decision” on a matter of global urgency. He made it clear a definitive answer is needed—and soon.
Details of the deal Iran has been offered remain unclear, but Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has stated the terms would be permanent. Trump has repeatedly vowed that Iran “will never” be allowed to enrich uranium or obtain a nuclear weapon under any circumstances.
Though Trump didn’t specify whether more sanctions—or worse—are on the table, his emphasis on urgency and definitive timelines suggests the White House is preparing for a high-stakes pivot if Iran fails to act.
This marks one of the clearest signals yet that Trump is fully engaged in shaping the global order, using both diplomacy and pressure to navigate flashpoints that Biden left simmering. Whether it’s Ukraine’s long-range strikes or Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Trump’s direct engagement is once again center stage.
As for Putin’s promise to retaliate? The world is now watching to see what “responding to the attack” will actually look like—and whether Trump’s intervention delayed or accelerated what comes next.
