Trump ‘not surprised’ at Russia’s attack on Kyiv, White House says the two countries don’t want to end war

US President Donald Trump was unhappy but not surprised by Russia’s massive missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, which left at least 21 people dead and dozens more wounded. According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the president considered the strikes part of a long conflict between Russia and Ukraine, noting that “both countries have been at war for a very long time”.

The barrage, described by Ukrainian officials as one of the largest since the invasion began in February 2022, struck residential areas as well as the European Union delegation and the British Council offices in Kyiv. Reports indicated that four children were among the victims, while several government-linked buildings were badly damaged. Ukraine’s air force said more than 600 missiles and drones were launched overnight, with some breaking through air defences and striking targets across 20 locations in the capital, The Guardian reported.

White House emphasises diplomacy

Leavitt reiterated that Trump’s stance remained focussed on a negotiated settlement to the war, but suggested that neither Russia nor Ukraine appeared willing to compromise at present. She told reporters that the president hoped to see an end to the fighting but stressed that the decision ultimately rested with the leaders of the two countries. She added that Trump may issue further remarks as events unfolded.

The press secretary further underlined that while the administration condemned the attacks, the US president had worked “harder than anyone” to secure peace. Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, echoed this sentiment in a social media post, warning that such strikes undermined diplomatic initiatives and directly threatened the peace process the White House was attempting to advance.

Fallout in Europe

The international backlash to the strikes was immediate. Both the United Kingdom and the European Union summoned their Russian envoys in response to the destruction of their offices in Kyiv. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the strikes an act of senseless violence that killed civilians and damaged institutions central to cultural and diplomatic exchange. Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Moscow of sabotaging peace hopes, noting that children were among the dead.

The EU’s ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernova, confirmed that the delegation’s offices had suffered severe damage from the shockwave of the blasts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the attack demonstrated that the Kremlin would “stop at nothing to terrorise Ukraine,” promising fresh sanctions against Russia. Similarly, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni argued that the overnight bombardment proved Moscow had no real interest in pursuing negotiations, The Guardian reported.

Ukraine condemns Russia’s intentions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by saying the scale and ferocity of the attack revealed Russia’s lack of interest in diplomacy. He characterised the strikes as a “clear response” to international calls for a ceasefire, emphasising that Moscow had chosen missiles over dialogue.

Trump’s peace bid faces obstacles

Trump had previously pledged to resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of taking office but has since acknowledged the complexity of the task. His recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, followed by talks with Zelenskyy in Washington, did not lead to a breakthrough. Reports indicated that hopes of arranging a direct meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders were fading, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating there would “obviously” be no such summit under current conditions.

While the White House continues to promote diplomacy, Russia’s intensified strikes on Kyiv highlight the difficulty of Trump’s peace efforts. Kellogg cautioned that Moscow’s latest actions “threaten the peace” and risk undermining fragile attempts at negotiation. With mounting civilian casualties, damaged international institutions and a hardened Russian stance, the possibility of near-term reconciliation appeared increasingly remote.