Washington, D.C.: US President Donald Trump has offered to help find a solution to the war in Ukraine during a nearly 90-minute telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. The call, held on Saturday, also touched on diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit.
Kremlin says Trump offered to support peace efforts
According to Ushakov, Trump expressed his willingness to work towards a political solution to the conflict during the conversation, which took place on US Independence Day.
The Kremlin aide described the discussion as “business-like and quite constructive” and said Trump reiterated his readiness to help achieve a rapid end to the fighting.
Ushakov said Russia continues to favour what it described as a political and diplomatic settlement that takes into account Moscow’s key positions on the conflict.
Russia and Ukraine maintain opposing claims
During the call, Putin reportedly briefed Trump on what he described as the situation on the battlefield, claiming Russian forces were continuing to make advances.
Russian military officials have stated that their troops captured the strategically significant city of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s General Staff rejected the claim, stating that Ukrainian forces continue to control the city.
Russia has maintained that any peace agreement must include its control over the Donbas region, a condition that Ukraine has consistently rejected.
Zelenskyy also speaks with Trump
President Zelenskyy confirmed that he also held a separate conversation with Trump, describing it as “very good.”
He said the discussion included developments along the approximately 1,200-km front line and prospects for ending the conflict.
Zelenskyy added that both leaders agreed to continue discussions during the upcoming NATO summit, saying American involvement would play an important role in efforts to achieve peace.
Diplomatic efforts expected to continue
According to Ushakov, Trump said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue efforts to facilitate negotiations and were prepared to make another visit to Moscow.
The Kremlin also said Putin expressed hope that ongoing US diplomatic engagement in relation to Iran would contribute to mutually acceptable long-term solutions on broader international issues.
During the conversation, Putin reportedly reiterated his standing invitation for Trump to visit Moscow.
While diplomatic contacts between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv have continued, no breakthrough has yet been announced, and significant differences remain over the conditions for a negotiated settlement.