U.S. President Donald Trump’s remark that he “did not discuss aid to Ukraine” with Russian President Vladimir Putin may be the defining statement of their conversation yesterday.
Following their discussion, a planned press conference at the White House was abruptly cancelled, raising further questions about the nature and outcome of their dialogue.
Instead, the administration released a formal statement summarising the conversation.
Absence of Transparency
While the White House provided an official account of the discussion, Trump’s decision to avoid the press has been interpreted as an attempt to evade difficult questions.
The cancellation came after reports surfaced that Putin had rejected Trump’s proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine. The U.S. side had coordinated this initiative with Kyiv during previous negotiations in Jeddah, making it difficult for Washington to shift blame onto Ukraine.
Trump later appeared on Fox News, where he characterised the discussion as “excellent” and insisted that he and Putin were “moving toward peace.” He also reiterated his claim that 2,500 Ukrainian troops were encircled by Russian forces and needed saving. This statement, repeatedly denied by Kyiv and uncorroborated by American intelligence, suggests a disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and battlefield realities.
Russian Preconditions for Ceasefire
According to the Kremlin’s version of events, Moscow insisted on ending U.S. military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine as conditions for a ceasefire.
While Trump publicly denied that these issues were discussed, the Kremlin’s statement has led to speculation about the true content of the talks.
Putin’s demand was reiterated in a press conference alongside Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, where he stressed that Russia would not halt its campaign unless Western support for Ukraine ceased. Given Moscow’s firm stance, any near-term diplomatic breakthrough appears unlikely.
Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack Following Trump-Putin Talks
Kyiv Targeted as Ukrainian Air Defences Intercept 72 Drones
Just an hour after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke, Russia launched a large-scale air assault on Ukraine in the early hours of 19 March. The attack involved ballistic missiles, air-defence missiles, and 145 drones, underscoring a sharp escalation that dispelled any suggestion of an impending ceasefire.
Ukraine’s Air Force Command confirmed that its defence systems successfully intercepted 72 Shahed-type attack drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The assault originated from multiple locations inside Russia, including Bryansk, Oryol, Shatalovo, Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
Details of the Attack
The Russian strike included:
- Two Iskander-M ballistic missiles,
- Four S-300 surface-to-air missiles used in a ground attack role,
- 145 drones, including Shahed loitering munitions and decoy UAVs.
Kyiv was a primary target, with 45 drones recorded in its airspace. Ukrainian air defence units managed to destroy 19, while others were either neutralised electronically or exited the area.
Regions affected included Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, and Chernihiv. Ukrainian forces countered the assault using aircraft, surface-to-air missile units, electronic warfare systems, and mobile fire groups.
Zelensky: “Russia Rejects Ceasefire”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the overnight bombardment as evidence of Moscow’s disregard for peace efforts. “Putin has effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire,” he stated, noting that the attack directly followed the Trump-Putin discussion.
Right now, in many regions, you can literally hear what Russia truly needs. Around 40 “Shahed” drones are in our skies, and air defense is active.
Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure. A direct hit by a “Shahed” drone on a hospital in… pic.twitter.com/TKTeB9gaZy
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 18, 2025
The Ukrainian Air Force also reported the presence of 56 Russian decoy UAVs, though they did not cause any damage.
Impact and Response
The Ukrainian military’s ability to neutralise a significant portion of the drones highlights the effectiveness of Western-supplied air defence systems. However, the scale of the attack suggests that Russia continues to test Ukraine’s defensive capabilities with mass drone and missile barrages.
The timing of the assault raises further doubts about Moscow’s willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict. Despite diplomatic overtures, Russia’s military operations remain relentless, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and cities.
Future Negotiations in Jeddah
A new round of discussions between U.S. and Russian delegations is scheduled for 23 March in Jeddah, provided Moscow does not introduce last-minute procedural obstacles.
The talks are expected to focus on the possible suspension of air and naval strikes. However, given Russia’s history of using negotiations to stall while continuing its military offensive, expectations remain low.
Trump’s response to the situation raises questions about his broader approach to Russia. His reluctance to confront Moscow’s aggressive actions contrasts sharply with his willingness to exert pressure on Ukraine, where he previously froze military assistance as a negotiating tool.
