Russia quashes hopes for end to war after Donald Trump suggests drone incursion into Nato airspace was a ‘mistake

Verity Bowman

12 September 2025

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are on “pause”, the Kremlin said on Friday, in a further sign that Donald Trump’s efforts to end the conflict are faltering.

The US president, pushing for a deal to end the fighting, has engaged in a series of talks with Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the leaders of Kyiv’s Nato allies.

However, despite a high-profile meeting with Mr Trump in Alaska last month, Putin has pressed on with his offensive, pushing for more land while ramping up missile bombardments – including an attack on Ukraine this week in which Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace.

“Our negotiators have the opportunity to communicate through channels. But for now, it is probably more accurate to talk about a pause,” Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said.

“You can’t wear rose-tinted glasses and expect that the negotiation process will yield immediate results,” he added in a call with reporters.

Putin has effectively ruled out a meeting with Mr Zelensky, who says a summit is vital to break the deadlock. Putin insists such a meeting could only take place in Moscow, something Kyiv is unlikely to ever agree to.

Mr Peskov made the comments after Mr Trump played down the incursion of Russian drones into Nato airspace in Poland, saying it may have been a “mistake” by the Kremlin.

‘Could have been a mistake’

The US president told reporters that he was “not happy” about the situation in the region, but added that it would “hopefully” come to an end soon.

“Could have been a mistake, could have been a mistake,” Mr Trump said at the White House on Thursday.

“But regardless, I’m not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation. Hopefully, it’s going to come to an end.”

Speaking on Friday to the Fox & Friends morning show, he added: “I’m not going to defend anybody but [in] Poland they were actually knocked down. But he shouldn’t be close to Poland anyway”, likely referring to Putin.

On Tuesday night, Polish and Dutch fighter jets were scrambled after Russia launched missiles and drones at Ukraine, with about 19 entering Polish airspace.

Dutch F-35s shot down two, while three others crashed under unclear circumstances. No casualties were reported.

Mr Trump’s suggestion that the incident was a miscalculation by Russia was quickly rejected by Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister.

“We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it,” Mr Tusk posted on X on Friday morning.

Cezary Tomczyk, the deputy defence minister, echoed the criticism.

“I think this is a message that should reach President Trump today: there’s no question of a mistake – this was a deliberate Russian attack,” Mr Tomczyk told Polsat News.

The incursion appeared to be an attempt by Putin to test Nato’s air defences and its willingness to respond to provocation, such as triggering the Article 5 mutual-defence pact.

On Thursday, Germany followed the UK’s lead in pledging to provide Poland with stronger air defences. Nato allies also vowed to send more troops and aircraft to deter Russia and bolster Poland’s eastern flank.

Germany extended its deployment of a rapid-response air squadron at Laage air base, which handles Polish air-defence missions, until Dec 31.

In an interview with Der Spiegel on Friday, the head of the German parliament’s defence committee called for Nato allies to be allowed to shoot down Russian drones in Ukrainian airspace, in order to better defend the skies.

Thomas Rowekamp said: “It must be possible, with the consent of the affected country, such as Ukraine, to neutralise drones that threaten Nato territory, even in their airspace.”

The idea, if it was allowed, would permit direct conflict between Nato and Russia within Ukraine, albeit only for defensive action against drones ultimately aimed at Nato states.

Mr Trump spoke with Karol Nawrocki, the Polish president, on Wednesday following the incursion of the Russian drones.

“I spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump about the multiple violations of Polish airspace by Russian drones that took place last night,” Mr Nawrocki said.

“The conversation is part of a series of consultations I have been holding with our allies. Today’s talks confirmed allied unity,” he added.

Before the call, Mr Trump posted on social media: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!”

Radosław Sikorski, the Polish deputy prime minister and foreign minister, accused Putin of “mocking” Mr Trump’s efforts to broker peace with the incursion.

“The Kremlin is again mocking President Trump’s peace efforts,” he said.

Mr Trump has continued to push for a negotiated peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, but has shown increasing pessimism about whether a diplomatic resolution will happen quickly.

The US president is now believed to be pushing G7 members to impose 100 per cent tariffs on India and China – the two countries Russia sells most of its oil to – as part of his effort to end the war, arguing that Europe is not doing enough to pressure Moscow.

But sources told The Telegraph that the EU still favours targeted sanctions over broad tariffs.

They believe the challenge now is convincing the US that those measures can be equally as effective as Mr Trump’s more aggressive approach.

Britain launched a new package of Russia-related sanctions on Friday, targeting ships carrying Russian oil, as well as companies and individuals supplying electronics, chemicals and explosives used to make Russian weapons.

The package was a response to recent Russian aggression, the British government said in a statement.

“International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war is vital,” Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, said as she visited Kyiv on Friday.