Washington: US President Donald Trump has offered to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war during a 90-minute phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. The discussion, described by Moscow as “business-focused and highly constructive”, covered the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, bilateral relations and prospects for future diplomatic engagement.
The call came as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of its founding, with Putin congratulating Trump on the occasion before the leaders turned to key international issues, including the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin says Trump offered mediation
According to Yuri Ushakov, the conversation was the fourth phone call between the two leaders this year and went beyond a ceremonial exchange.
Speaking to reporters, Ushakov said Trump expressed his willingness to assist in finding a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin official described the discussion as frank and focused on pressing bilateral and international issues.
He added that Trump’s offer to help mediate came ahead of his participation in next week’s NATO summit in Turkey, where the Ukraine conflict is expected to be a major topic of discussion.
Putin outlines Russia’s battlefield position
During the conversation, Putin reportedly briefed Trump on what Moscow described as the current battlefield situation.
According to Ushakov, the Russian President said Russian forces continue to advance along the entire line of contact in Ukraine. He also claimed that several European countries have an inaccurate understanding of developments on the ground.
The Kremlin maintained its position that military developments remain favourable to Russia while criticising the assessments made by Western governments.
US envoys may continue diplomatic efforts
Ushakov said Trump informed Putin that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue efforts aimed at facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the Kremlin aide, the two officials are expected to remain engaged in diplomatic initiatives and could make another visit to Moscow as part of efforts to encourage dialogue between the two sides.
No official timeline for such a visit has been announced by the White House.
Leaders discuss future cooperation
Apart from the Ukraine conflict, Trump and Putin reportedly discussed the broader state of US-Russia relations.
According to Ushakov, both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining regular communication on military, political and economic matters.
The Kremlin quoted Trump as saying that resolving the Ukraine conflict could create conditions for broader cooperation between Washington and Moscow in areas of mutual interest.
Relations between the two countries have remained strained in recent years because of the war, sanctions and broader geopolitical tensions.
Kremlin criticises Kyiv and European allies
During his briefing, Ushakov accused Ukraine and several European countries of seeking to prolong the conflict rather than work towards a negotiated settlement.
He alleged that Kyiv and its Western allies were encouraging escalation and accused them of supporting actions targeting civilians, allegations that Ukraine and its allies have consistently rejected.
The latest comments reflect Moscow’s continued criticism of Western military and financial support for Ukraine.
Kremlin comments on possible Putin-Zelensky meeting
Separately, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could travel to Moscow for talks with Putin if he was prepared to make what Russia described as “important and responsible decisions.”
According to Russian state media, Peskov was responding to Zelensky’s earlier suggestion that the two leaders meet in Kostiantynivka.
Peskov said Putin had indicated his willingness to host Zelensky in Moscow, noting that the Russian capital, rather than Kostiantynivka, would be an appropriate venue for such discussions.
There has been no official confirmation from Ukraine regarding any plans for a meeting in Moscow.
No breakthrough announced
Although the phone conversation covered several major issues, neither side announced any concrete agreement or breakthrough towards ending the conflict.
The Ukraine war continues to dominate relations between Russia and the West, with diplomatic efforts remaining complex despite periodic contacts between world leaders.
Trump’s reported offer to assist in mediation signals continued interest in facilitating negotiations, but any future progress will depend on the willingness of both Moscow and Kyiv to engage in substantive peace talks.
Conclusion
The latest conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin highlights continued diplomatic engagement over the Ukraine conflict. While Trump reportedly offered to help broker peace and both leaders discussed future cooperation, no formal peace initiative or agreement emerged from the 90-minute call. The war remains unresolved, with further diplomatic efforts expected in the coming weeks.