Russia’s latest aerial barrage against targets in Ukraine may seem like a setback in the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, but it is not dampening the expectations of U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite the attacks, Trump remains optimistic that he can broker a deal to end the fighting between the two nations.
On Friday, Ukrainian officials reported more than 200 missile and drone strikes launched by Russia overnight. These attacks targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing damage to residential buildings and injuring civilians in five different regions. However, in a statement to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he takes Russian President Vladimir Putin at his word when he says he wants peace.
“I believe him. I think we’re doing very well with Russia,” Trump said, acknowledging the current situation where Russia is bombing Ukraine. “He’s doing what anybody else would do. I think probably anybody in that position would be doing that right now.”
Trump also expressed frustration with Kyiv, stating that it has become increasingly difficult to deal with them. He noted that Ukraine doesn’t hold the cards in the conflict, and it is up to them to show a willingness to settle.
When asked if the United States would provide Ukraine with additional air defenses, Trump said it would depend on Ukraine’s actions. He stated, “I have to know that they want to settle. I don’t know that they want to settle. If they don’t want to settle, we’re out of there because we want them to settle.”
While Trump’s tactics to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, including pausing military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, have been questioned, other U.S. officials have pushed back against the notion that it has made Ukraine more vulnerable. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Fox News late Thursday that the pause on intelligence sharing is only meant to prevent Ukraine from launching offensive operations against Russia.
“Any intelligence going toward defending Ukraine against attacks coming into their country would continue,” Gabbard clarified.
A U.S. defense official confirmed to VOA on Friday that there has been no pause on intelligence that would allow Ukraine to defend itself. Additionally, Ukraine maintains access to Starlink, the satellite internet system owned by Trump ally Elon Musk.
Despite the overnight attack by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains committed to seeking peace. In a post on his social media account, Zelenskyy stated that many of the drones were taken out by antiaircraft defenses. He also revealed that for the first time, French-made Mirage fighter jets were deployed in air defense, along with U.S-made F-16s.
In a separate statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy expressed his frustration with Moscow, stating, “Every day, new Russian attacks and reality itself prove that it is Russia that must be forced to make peace—to stop the war, to engage in real diplomacy.”
Despite the challenges, Zelenskyy remains determined to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In a statement on his social media account, he shared that Ukraine has been working closely with President Trump’s team at various levels, including numerous calls. The main focus of these discussions has been on achieving peace and ensuring security for Ukraine.
“Ukraine is fully committed to a constructive approach,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The latest barrage of Russian missiles and the responses from the U.S. and Ukraine come ahead of Zelenskyy’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday. He will meet with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss a possible ceasefire with Russia. This meeting will be the first between Zelenskyy and U.S. officials since his controversial White House meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance last week.
In a letter sent to Trump earlier this week, Zelenskyy expressed his regret over the meeting and stated that Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible. As the situation continues to unfold, the U.S. and Ukraine remain committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Russia.
VOA’s Patsy Widakuswara and Jeff Custer contributed to this report. Some information was provided by the Associated Press and Reuters.
