Trump speaks with both Putin and Zelenskyy as Ukraine war intensifies

President Donald Trump spoke by phone Sunday with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking separate diplomatic contacts as military operations continued in Eastern Europe.

Details about the substance of Trump's calls remained limited. The timing of the conversations underscored Trump's stated intent to engage with both warring parties as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine entered its third year.

The phone calls coincided with escalating military activity. Drone strikes killed two people in Russia on Sunday, according to regional officials, though specific details about the targets and extent of damage remained unclear. Ukraine has conducted repeated drone operations targeting Russian territory since Moscow's 2022 invasion.

In a separate development, British authorities detained an Iranian-flagged tanker in waters near Gibraltar on Sunday. The United Kingdom's move reflected ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and international sanctions enforcement. Britain did not immediately provide a public statement explaining the seizure.

Trump has indicated he intends to play a role in negotiating an end to the Ukraine conflict, though he has offered few specifics about his approach. His predecessor, Joe Biden, maintained strong military and financial support for Ukraine throughout the war. Trump's conversations with both leaders suggested he planned direct engagement with all parties involved in the conflict.

The Ukrainian government has expressed concern about potential pressure to accept unfavorable peace terms. Russian officials have indicated willingness to discuss negotiations, though both sides have maintained contradictory positions on core issues including territorial control and security guarantees.

Ukraine has relied on Western military aid and intelligence support to counter Russian forces. The United States has provided billions of dollars in weapons and equipment to Kyiv since the invasion began. Trump has questioned the level of U.S. commitment to Ukraine, stating that European allies should shoulder more of the financial burden.

Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory as of early 2025, though the front lines have remained relatively stable in recent months. Ukrainian forces have conducted cross-border operations, including drone strikes and raids into Russian territory.

The seizure of the Iranian tanker marked another chapter in tensions between Iran and Western nations over nuclear proliferation and sanctions. Britain, the United States, and European countries have maintained coordinated sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and financial institutions.