Trump offered to help end war in Ukraine in phone call with Putin, says Trump also discussed peace before NATO summit
US President Donald Trump offered to help find a solution to the war in Ukraine during a nearly 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said, as diplomatic efforts accelerate ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey next week.According to Reuters, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that Trump made the offer during the call on Saturday, which took place on US Independence Day, and reaffirmed Washington’s readiness to work to end the conflict. Trump also spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who later described the conversation as “very good.”Ushakov said that Trump “once again confirmed his readiness to work for a quick end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis.”He described the discussion as “fully practical and constructive”, while saying that Russia continues to seek a “political-diplomatic solution to the conflict” that takes into account Moscow’s “fundamental approach”.
Putin and Zelensky present conflicting narratives on the battlefield
During the call, Putin briefed Trump on what he described as the situation on the battlefield, claiming that Russian forces were “advancing confidently, liberating one area after another,” according to Reuters.
The Russian President’s statements came a day after Moscow announced its control of the strategically important city of Kostyantinivka in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. But Ukraine rejected this assertion.According to Agence France-Presse, Ukrainian army spokesman Andrey Kovalyov said that the city is still under Kiev’s control, while Zelensky denied Russia’s claim and called it “just another Russian lie.”Russia continues to insist that any settlement must include Moscow assuming full control over the Ukrainian Donbass region, a demand that Kiev has repeatedly rejected.
Trump envoys continue mediation efforts
Ushakov said that Trump informed Putin that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue efforts to mediate a settlement and that they were ready to make another visit to Moscow.The Kremlin aide also said Putin expressed hope that US diplomatic efforts related to the Iranian conflict would help reach “mutually acceptable long-term solutions” on broader international issues. Putin also reminded Trump that he has an open invitation to visit Moscow.Meanwhile, Zelensky said his discussion with Trump focused on the 1,200-kilometre-long frontline and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.“There is a real possibility of ending this war, and American resolve will have decisive meaning,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, according to what Reuters reported. He added that the two leaders agreed to continue their talks during the NATO summit.
NATO summit and stalled peace talks
The Trump-Putin and Trump-Zelensky calls also coincided with the 250th anniversary of US independence, and took place ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, where the leaders are expected to discuss the Ukrainian war.Peace negotiations remain stalled. Last month, Zelensky urged Putin to hold an individual meeting to discuss ending the war, but the Russian president refused.On the battlefield, despite Moscow’s claims of territorial gains, fighting around Kostyantinivka remains intense, with Ukrainian forces holding defensive positions while admitting that small Russian groups have infiltrated parts of the city.The city serves as a major gateway to the remaining Ukrainian-controlled strongholds of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk in the Donbass region.
