Russian President Vladimir Putin once again refused to end his war in Ukraine until Russia achieves its “goals” despite another direct call between the Kremlin chief and President Donald Trump. 

“Vladimir Putin, for his part, noted that we continue to seek a political and negotiated solution to the conflict,” Russian diplomat Yuri Ushakov said in a readout following the call.

“Our president also said that Russia will achieve the goals it has set: that is the elimination of the well-known root causes that led to the current state of affairs, to the current acute confrontation, and Russia will not back down from these goals,” he added.

PUTIN’S ATTEMPT TO ‘PLAY TRUMP’ ON UKRAINE WILL FAIL, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SAYS

In an attempt to justify his invasion, Putin has repeatedly claimed that Ukraine posed a threat as it looked to become a NATO member, and has made clear he wants to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and topple the government in Kyiv. 

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s questions regarding how Trump reacted to Putin’s clear acknowledgment that he intends to continue his war effort. 

The call comes two days after the U.S. said it was halting some previously pledged military arms slated for Ukraine, and which were already in Poland, over concerns relating to U.S. stockpiles. 

PENTAGON’S WEAPONS PAUSE TO UKRAINE COULD ‘ENCOURAGE’ AND ‘ESCALATE’ PUTIN’S WAR AMBITIONS: SECURITY EXPERTS

Ukrainian and German soldiers are seen training on the Patriot air defense missile system at a military training area in Germany in June 2024. (Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)

While speaking with Fox News Digital this week, experts warned the move could embolden Putin and his war ambitions. 

The readout of the call released by the Kremlin did not detail whether this move by the Trump administration was discussed. 

Members of the Ukrainian military walk amid debris after a shopping center and surrounding buildings were hit by a Russian missile strike on April 16, 2022 in Kharkiv, Ukraine.  (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The pair also reportedly discussed the conflict in the Middle East, particularly as it relates to Iran and recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Tehran’s nuclear program.

“The Russian side emphasized the importance of resolving all disputes, disagreements and conflict situations exclusively by political and diplomatic means,” the readout added. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do “anything” to advance EU accession talks.

“Nobody can stop Ukraine in this way. It depends on unity. From our side, we’ll do anything. We need support from all other leaders,” he said, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Danish EU Presidency in Aarhus.

Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Frederiksen vowed to support Ukraine’s accession process to join the European Union.

Denmark aims to use its presidency of the EU Council to put “maximum pressure” on Hungary to lift its veto on Ukraine’s EU membership negotiations.

“Ukraine belongs to the European family and NATO,” Frederiksen said, adding that Denmark is thinking about the “best way forward,” without sharing additional details.

It comes as Russia continues to intensify its attacks on Ukraine, and the United States decided to halt some promised air defence missiles and weapons, which it had already pledged to Ukraine.

When asked about the pause in military assistance, Zelenskyy said he will speak with US President Donald Trump soon, but did not go into further detail.

The Ukrainian President called on the EU to invest more in Kyiv’s defence industry.

Frederiksen said she hoped for continued US military support, but vouched to fill any gaps if necessary.

Speaking at an earlier press briefing alongside von der Leyen, Frederiksen emphasised a need for a change in mindset.

“When we are delivering weapons to Ukraine, instead of thinking it as donations, we have to think of it as a part of rearming ourselves,” Frederiksen said.

“Because right now it is the army in Ukraine that is protecting Europe,” she added.

Von der Leyen added that “financial possibilities are in place to directly support Ukraine,” urging member states to make use of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a €150 billion budget introduced at the end of May that will help support member states that with to invest in defence.

“Member states can take this money and either buy military equipment and give it to Ukraine, or they can take this money and invest it in the extremely efficient Ukrainian defence industry,” von der Leyen noted.