ISTANBUL

Russia’s response to Ukraine’s strikes on military airfields will be determined by the armed forces, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, a day after presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump discussed the attack on the phone.

“As and when our military deems appropriate,” Peskov said, emphasizing that decisions will be based on military judgment.

He added that Moscow would have preferred stronger international condemnation of what it calls Kyiv’s “terrorist attacks.”

Ukraine launched a surprise attack to strike Russian airbases on 1 June, targeting what it said were long-range bombers.

Peskov claimed Ukrainian authorities gave direct orders for attacks in Russia’s Kursk and Bryansk regions, including the explosion of a train, calling it “terrorism at the state level.”

Despite the accusations, he said Putin continues to support the idea of maintaining contact with Kyiv.

“The conversation was constructive and necessary,” Peskov said, adding that while both agreed that a face-to-face meeting is important, a leaders' summit must be thoroughly prepared.

​​​​​​​Trump had said on Wednesday that "President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields."