Putin aide slams Ukraine’s ‘terrorist methods’ amid war, issues big warning on US’ Tomahawk missiles

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov gave a detailed briefing on the two-and-a-half-hour phone call between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump—their eighth since Trump’s return to office. Ushakov described the exchange as “extremely candid and trusting,” highlighting progress on diplomatic and security fronts. He said Putin began by congratulating Trump for successfully “normalizing the situation in Gaza,” noting that the U.S. president’s peace efforts were being recognized across the Middle East and globally. The main focus, however, was Ukraine: Putin reiterated Russia’s commitment to a political resolution but emphasized that Moscow “fully holds the strategic initiative” along the front, while blaming Kyiv for “terrorist strikes on civilians and infrastructure.”