Russia and Ukraine launched record drone attacks on each other despite a phone call reported by the Washington Post from US President-elect Donald Trump urging Russian President Vladimir Putin not to escalate the conflict. Trump’s election to the White House has the potential to upend the almost three-year conflict and has thrown into question Washington’s multi-billion dollar support for Kyiv, crucial to its defence.
The Republican said on the campaign trail that he could end the fighting within hours and has indicated he would talk directly with Putin a major break from the approach adopted by President Joe Biden. The Washington Post reported that Trump had had a phone call on Thursday with the Russian strongman in which he told Putin not to inflame the attritional war.