Putin tells Trump that Russia will not give up aims in Ukraine

On the diplomatic front.

An end to Russian aggression against Ukraine is looking unlikely in the near future as the latest talks between the leaders of the U.S. and Russia on the phone failed to narrow their differences.

Lee Seung-jae covers the talks that took place on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, held phone talks on Thursday.

According to the Kremlin, Putin, while referring to the war in Ukraine, stressed that Russia "will achieve the aims it set," which is to eliminate the "root causes that led to the current state of affairs."

Putin's message to Trump was also reported by Russia's state television.

"Of course, during this call, the situation in Ukraine was discussed. So, Vladimir Putin informed Trump that Russia will not step back from its goal of removing the root causes that led to the confrontation in Ukraine."

Moscow has long demanded that Kyiv give up its NATO membership ambitions.

Still, during the almost one-hour-long talks, Putin expressed his readiness to continue negotiations, adding that Moscow is looking for a political, negotiated solution to the conflict.

Meanwhile, President Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the peace talks that the U.S. is trying to broker.

"And we also talked about, as you know, the war with Ukraine. And I'm not happy about that. I'm not happy. No, I didn't make any progress with that today at all."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his hopes, also on Thursday, that he would have the opportunity to speak with Trump on Friday, or in the coming days.

He said that he wishes to discuss their bilateral relations, as well as U.S. support amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Zelenskyy also expressed hopes for continued support from the U.S. and Europe, stressing that strengthening cooperation and coordination through the U.S., the EU and NATO is crucial.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.