Putin launches worst airstrike on Kiev while ignoring ceasefire proposals

MoscowDonald Trump's confusing messages about the Ukraine conflict They are clearing the way for Vladimir Putin to continue fighting on the front lines and bombing cities. The US president is frustrated by the Russian president's refusal to stop until Volodymyr Zelensky surrenders, while members of his administration are making a fuss in the Kremlin with decisions that hurt Kiev, such as the suspension of some arms shipments or pressure to lift sanctions on Moscow.

According to NBC, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth opted to pause the supply of military aid to Ukraine Without any justification for the alleged alarm over the low levels of US arsenals. In fact, the move caught the State Department and members of Congress by surprise, many of whom criticized it. A similar situation occurred in February, when Hegseth unilaterally turned off the tap in Kiev and did not inform the White House.

Following the telephone conversation between Trump and Zelensky this Friday, the Ukrainian president did not comment on the controversy. However, in a statement, he thanked the United States for "the support provided" and explained that they had agreed to "work together to strengthen the protection" of Ukraine's skies. This follows the record-breaking airstrike against Kiev in the early hours of Friday, which left one dead and at least 26 injured, and forced the capital's population to hide in shelters for more than seven hours.

Russia has hit the Ukrainian capital with a particularly massive attack: 11 missiles and 539 drones have destroyed railway infrastructure and set fire to buildings and cars in several locations in Kiev.

Zelensky added that the two have discussed possibilities for "joint production" of weapons and "mutual investment" opportunities. The shortage of Patriot anti-drone and anti-missile systems is one of Kiev's headaches, as Moscow is seeing how every day it is capable of launching more massive bombings. For this reason, Trump has also discussed with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the purchase of Patriots by Germany for Ukraine.

Trump's hesitations with Putin

The US leader's apparent willingness to continue helping Zelensky contrasts with his hesitation to pressure Putin. "I'm very disappointed with the conversation. I don't think he wants to stop, and that's a shame," Trump said Friday about the call with the Russian president the day before. However, the US president's complaints about the Kremlin's unwillingness to accept a ceasefire are beginning to sound like a sore thumb because the reality is that so far they have not translated into any ultimatums in Russia.

On April 27, Trump claimed to be "very disappointed with the Russian missiles" after the wave of airstrikes following the Easter truce. On May 30, following the deadliest bombing of Kiev in nine months, he again expressed "surprised and disappointed" in the Russian leader. Indeed, in the days leading up to the meeting, he had even threatened him with new sanctions, although he later reversed himself. "I think I'm close to closing a deal, I don't want to mess it up," he had stated.

Zelensky sought to refute the idea that Putin is cajoling Trump and made it clear that the US president "is well informed about the situation and fully understands what is happening" on the front lines. But it is not now that the US leader realizes that Putin is determined to continue fighting until he achieves his goals. Already on May 19, after another conversation between Washington and Moscow, which publicly Trump sold it as a success, privately admitted to European leaders that the Russian president had no intention of discussing an end to hostilities because he was convinced he could win the war.

However, Steve Witkoff, another member of the US administration most sensitive to Russia's position, continues to insist on the need to make gestures toward Putin. This Friday,Politicalreports that Trump's special envoy is in favor of lifting energy sanctions against Russia, after the two presidents discussed the possibilities of cooperation in this area by phone.

The war does not take its toll on Putin

Without economic pressure, with voices from the US administration calling for sanctions relief, and with the White House sending disconcerting messages about military aid to Kiev, Putin has no incentive to rush into negotiations. Nor on the domestic front. The alarming signs of the economy filling the pages of Russian official newspapers, or the warnings from authorities about a possible recession or the exhaustion of the production model based on military spending, do not seem to be affecting the Kremlin leader.

A survey published this week by the Levada Center for independent sociological analysis reveals that 74% of Russians continue to support the war against Ukraine. The percentage fell slightly compared to May, when 80% were in favor. However, paradoxically, 68% of citizens also support finding a diplomatic solution to end the conflict. However, for the moment, there is still no date for a new round of talks between Kiev and Moscow, and there is no reason to expect major progress from the next meeting.