Former US President Donald Trump has once again thrust himself into the heart of global diplomacy, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine following Russia’s latest test of its nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile. The test, which was announced by Putin on October 26, 2025, has sent ripples through the international community, highlighting the ongoing volatility and high stakes of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump’s remarks came as he was traveling aboard Air Force One. Speaking to reporters, the former president did not mince words about Russia’s actions. He called the recent weapons test "not appropriate," a sentiment echoed in coverage by Reuters and other major outlets. Trump went further, imploring Putin to shift his focus from military escalation to pursuing peace in Ukraine. According to iNews, Trump stated he would not meet with Putin again until a peace deal is in place—a notable shift from his previous diplomatic overtures.
The Burevestnik missile, at the center of this latest escalation, is no ordinary weapon. As reported by both iNews and statements from the Kremlin, it is a ground-launched, low-flying cruise missile powered by nuclear propulsion. Designed to carry a nuclear warhead, the missile represents a significant leap in Russia’s strategic arsenal, boasting a theoretically unlimited range and the ability to evade existing missile defense systems. NATO refers to the weapon as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall.
President Putin first unveiled the Burevestnik project in 2018, touting its unique capabilities. This week, he doubled down on the missile’s significance, declaring, "We need to determine the possible ways of using it and start preparing the infrastructure for deploying this weapon." Putin added, "It is a unique ware which nobody else in the world has." Russian General Valery Gerasimov provided further details, telling reporters that the missile remained airborne for 15 hours during the test and covered approximately 8,700 miles. Gerasimov emphasized that the weapon demonstrated "its high capabilities in evading anti-missile and anti-aircraft defences."
The timing of the test is hardly coincidental. It comes amid renewed fighting in Ukraine and growing frustration among world leaders over the stalled peace process. Earlier in 2025, Trump and Putin met in Alaska for a summit that Trump initially described as "successful." However, hopes for a breakthrough faded quickly when Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine in the weeks that followed. The escalation has only continued, with Russia launching more than 100 drones against Ukraine on October 25, 2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that three people were killed in the attack, with dozens more injured, including children.
In response to the drone strikes and the missile test, Zelensky has called for increased economic pressure on Russia. In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "There are significant results regarding the pressure on Russia: the 19th EU sanctions package and new U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil. We are grateful to our partners for these steps, but it is important not to stop here." Zelensky further insisted, "And, of course, additional tariff and sanctions restrictions are needed against Russia and all those helping it stay afloat. Certainly, pressure will help bring about peace."
The United States has already moved to tighten the screws on Russia’s economy. New sanctions have been imposed on major Russian oil companies, including Rosneft and Lukoil. These measures are part of a broader campaign to isolate Russia financially and limit its ability to fund its military operations. According to iNews, the sanctions are designed to send a clear message to Moscow: continued aggression will come at a steep price.
Despite these efforts, diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow have grown increasingly strained. A planned summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest was recently canceled, with Trump citing Russia’s escalating war in Ukraine as the primary reason. "It just didn’t feel right to me," Trump told reporters. "It didn’t feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I canceled it." The cancellation underscores the deep mistrust and frustration that now characterize relations between the two leaders.
Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, confirmed that Russia had communicated the successful Burevestnik missile tests to the Trump administration during Putin’s Alaska visit earlier in the year. The gesture, however, appears to have done little to ease tensions or bring the sides closer to a resolution. Instead, the missile test is widely seen as a signal that Russia is prepared to increase military pressure on Ukraine in hopes of forcing a surrender.
As the conflict drags on, the world watches with growing unease. The Burevestnik missile’s capabilities—its nuclear propulsion, unlimited range, and evasion of missile defenses—have raised the stakes in an already dangerous standoff. For many observers, the weapon represents a new chapter in the arms race, one that could have far-reaching consequences for global security.
Trump’s approach to the crisis has been a mix of public admonitions and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. While he has repeatedly tried to broker peace, his patience appears to be wearing thin. His insistence on not meeting with Putin until a peace deal is reached marks a significant departure from his earlier willingness to engage directly, even in the face of setbacks. Whether this strategy will yield results remains to be seen, but it reflects the growing sense of urgency among Western leaders to bring the conflict to an end.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to bear the brunt of the violence. The recent drone attacks and the specter of new, more advanced Russian weaponry have only deepened the country’s resolve to seek additional support from its allies. Zelensky’s calls for more sanctions and tariffs highlight the belief that sustained economic pressure is the best hope for forcing Russia to the negotiating table.
Internationally, the response to Russia’s missile test and ongoing aggression has been one of alarm and condemnation. Western governments have rallied behind Ukraine, imposing wave after wave of sanctions and providing military and humanitarian aid. Yet, as the conflict enters its third year, there is little sign that Russia is prepared to back down. The successful test of the Burevestnik missile may be intended as a show of strength, but it also underscores the risks of further escalation in a region already on edge.
For now, the world waits—hoping that diplomacy, not firepower, will ultimately prevail. But with each new missile test and each fresh round of violence, the path to peace seems ever more uncertain.
