A phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended with no diplomatic breakthrough on the war in Ukraine, as Russian strikes resumed shortly afterward. The call highlighted widening tensions and confusion surrounding U.S. military aid to Kyiv.

Trump Frustrated After Unproductive Call

President Trump confirmed on July 3 that his nearly hour-long phone call with Vladimir Putin had failed to produce results regarding Ukraine. “I didn’t make any progress with him at all,” Trump told reporters before leaving for Iowa.

Putin, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, used the call to restate Russia’s demand to address the war’s “root causes”—a phrase often interpreted to mean halting NATO expansion and ending Western support for Ukraine. The two leaders did not discuss the recent partial pause in U.S. weapons shipments to Kyiv.

Escalation Continues in Ukraine

Within hours of the call, Russian drone attacks hit a residential area in northern Kyiv, sparking fires and causing casualties. Simultaneously, Russian shelling in eastern Ukraine killed at least five civilians. Ukrainian air defense forces engaged drones over the capital, with heavy gunfire reported.

The White House has recently paused some critical arms shipments due to depleted stockpiles, including the Patriot missile systems that Ukraine relies on to intercept ballistic threats. Ukrainian officials urgently summoned the acting U.S. envoy in Kyiv, warning the weapons freeze would undermine their defense against intensified Russian strikes.

Mixed U.S. Signals on Military Aid

Trump defended the weapons pause by blaming former President Joe Biden, saying Biden had “emptied out our whole country” with excessive arms deliveries. Trump added, “We are giving weapons. But we have to make sure we have enough for ourselves.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking in Denmark, said he hoped to speak directly with Trump on Friday to clarify the situation. Just last week, Trump suggested freeing up a Patriot missile system for Ukraine, adding to the confusion about his administration’s stance.

Moscow Rejects Trilateral Talks

While Ushakov said Moscow remains open to dialogue, he insisted any negotiations should occur strictly between Russia and Ukraine. Kremlin officials reportedly removed American diplomats from a proposed trilateral meeting in Istanbul in June, signaling a rejection of broader diplomatic frameworks.

There was no discussion of a possible in-person meeting between Trump and Putin during the call.