Peace Talks Crumble as Putin Ignores Trump’s Ceasefire Push, Launches Biggest Raid Yet

Vladimir Putin has dramatically escalated the Ukraine conflict with the war’s largest air assault, directly defying President Trump’s efforts to broker a ceasefire between the warring nations. The weekend bombardment involved an unprecedented 367 projectiles—298 drones and 69 missiles—targeting sites across Ukraine and killing at least 12 people.
Trump expressed genuine surprise at Putin’s decision to intensify attacks despite active diplomatic efforts, telling reporters he was “very surprised” by the Russian leader’s actions. The massive strike occurred just as Ukraine and European allies were attempting to secure a 30-day ceasefire agreement as the foundation for broader peace negotiations.
The failed diplomatic initiative represents a significant blow to Trump’s campaign promise of ending the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. The president’s previous confidence in his relationship with Putin now appears misplaced, as he publicly questioned what has “happened” to the Russian leader. Ukrainian officials emphasized that every terrorist strike provides justification for new sanctions, while Trump indicated he’s seriously considering additional punitive measures against Moscow.