A Tale of Two Calls: Trump Voices “Deep Disappointment” with Putin, Strikes Hopeful Tone After Zelensky Talk

WASHINGTON – President Trump’s recent diplomatic outreach produced a study in contrasts, following separate phone calls with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. A conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin left Trump expressing sharp frustration, while a later call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was described in much more positive terms.

Speaking to reporters after his call with the Kremlin, Trump conveyed his dissatisfaction with the outcome.

“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin because I don’t think he’s there,” Trump said, suggesting Putin showed no signs of de-escalating the conflict in Ukraine. “I’m just saying, I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”

The President confirmed the call did not help advance the prospects of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and noted that the two leaders also discussed the situation in Iran.

In a starkly different development, President Trump held a 40-minute phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky on the morning of July 4. According to a source close to the matter cited by Axios, it was a “good conversation.” While further details have not yet been released, the positive characterization suggests a more constructive dialogue between the two allies.

These high-stakes calls come against a complex backdrop. Earlier this month, the Department of Defense paused shipments of certain air defense missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns that the U.S. military’s own stockpiles of the critical weapons were running low.