Ceasefire talks vs. missile strikes: What Russia does while Trump negotiates

Russian strikes on Ukraine and what Trump says about it

The last time Russian forces carried out a massive missile strike on Ukraine was on March 7. The enemy used Kh-101 missiles from Tu-95MS bombers, guided air missiles, ballistic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and attack drones. In total, 261 aerial threats were launched, some of which were intercepted. However, there were also hits, including on Ukraine's gas transportation network.

This attack coincided with a temporary halt in US military aid deliveries to Ukraine and a suspension of intelligence sharing, which followed a heated exchange between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in the Oval Office on December 28.

Later, however, the US resumed arms supplies to Ukraine. This happened after the Ukrainian side, during negotiations with the American delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, agreed to a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia — on the condition that Russia would also take the same step.

Now, as Western politicians say, "The ball is in Putin's court." So far, the Russian President has not shown a clear willingness to fully cease hostilities. The Kremlin leader claims that Russia supposedly agrees with the US proposal but insists that "there are nuances."

Meanwhile, Trump is still trying to secure Putin’s support for the American proposal of a 30-day truce. Evidence of this is today's phone call with Putin, after which, as head of the White House, Trump plans to make "certain statements" with the Kremlin leader regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine — on land, at sea, and in the air.

However, it is noteworthy that even during his active diplomacy aimed at establishing peace in Ukraine, Trump has not condemned Russia's missile strikes on Ukraine, particularly those targeting the country’s energy infrastructure — including the one on March 7.

The head of the White House believes that Putin is interested in ending the war, despite the latest attacks on Ukraine. Moreover, when US intelligence sharing and military aid to Kyiv were "on pause," the US president was asked whether he thought Putin was taking advantage of the situation to launch attacks on Ukraine. In response, Trump said that Putin was "doing what anyone else would do in this situation."

However, according to unofficial reports, Trump was still enraged by Russia’s actions, particularly its latest massive strike on Ukraine.

An unnamed senior White House official told Axios that Trump’s fury intensified, reportedly due to Russia’s behavior and its continued strikes on Ukraine at the very moment the US president was pushing for a ceasefire.

This report emerged in the media alongside a post from Trump on Truth Social, in which he threatened Russia with sanctions and tariffs.

"Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached," the US president wrote on his social media platform.

Will Putin halt strikes on Ukraine while negotiating with Trump?

The question remains whether negotiations with Trump would actually deter Putin from launching massive missile strikes on Ukraine.

According to Oleksandr Musiienko, a servicemember of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces and a military expert, Russia will not stop drone and missile attacks during negotiations and will continue its assaults until a ceasefire is officially established — if such an agreement is reached at all.

"Until a ceasefire is in place, if it happens, Putin will use every opportunity to pressure Ukraine. Given that Trump rarely comments on these strikes, or when he does, he simply states that 'these attacks must stop' without naming Russia as the aggressor, Putin might see this as a 'signal' that he can continue the strikes," Musiienko told RBC-Ukraine.

The expert pointed out that even when Russia was engaged in negotiations with Trump and Ukraine proposed a ceasefire in the air and at sea, the aggressor responded with more missile strikes.

"Russia continues to launch attacks using drones and sometimes missiles against our critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and the gas extraction sector. This is simply a standard pressure tactic from the Kremlin. They aim for more destruction and pressure to make Ukraine more inclined toward concessions," Musiienko added.

When asked whether Putin would heed the US president’s call to halt deep strikes on Ukraine, expert Oleksandr Musiienko said he does not believe Trump will make airstrike restraint his sole condition.

"That would diverge from the US position, which insists on an unconditional ceasefire — on land, at sea, and in the air. If we talk only about halting airstrikes, that would be a departure from previous US proposals. So, I think the concept remains: either a comprehensive ceasefire or no exceptions at this stage," Musiienko explained.

The expert also addressed whether Russia is prepared for another massive missile strike on Ukraine. According to him, the Russian military is actively preparing, with enemy aircraft flights and reconnaissance activities being tracked by Ukraine and its partners.

"The Russians are getting ready. In general, they need between two weeks and a month to conduct minimum preparations and stockpile missiles between such (massive - ed.) attacks. And we can already see that the enemy is preparing for another strike," Musiienko concluded.

Today, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call. Read RBC-Ukraine's material for the first details of their conversation.