Trump offers Putin help to end Ukraine war in nearly 90-minute call
U.S. President Donald Trump offered to help Russian President Vladimir Putin find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war during a nearly 90-minute phone call on Saturday, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Sunday, as the two leaders exchanged Independence Day greetings and discussed the conflict ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Ankara.
The conversation, which lasted 85 minutes, marked Trump’s first direct engagement with Putin since his return to the White House and came as both sides traded claims over the strategic city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Russian commanders told Putin on Friday that Moscow’s forces had captured the city, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the General Staff dismissed the assertion, stating Kyiv’s forces still controlled the area.
Ushakov described the call as “business-like and quite constructive,” saying Putin provided Trump with a “realistic assessment” of the battlefield, where Russian forces are “confidently advancing, liberating one locality after another.” The Kremlin aide accused Kyiv and its European allies of seeking to “extend and even escalate the conflict,” pointing to Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, which have triggered fuel shortages in multiple regions.
Trump, in turn, reaffirmed his readiness to facilitate an “earliest possible cessation of hostilities” and seek peaceful solutions to the crisis, according to Ushakov. The U.S. president also indicated that his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would continue mediation efforts and were prepared to return to Moscow. Ushakov noted that Putin had reminded Trump of an open invitation to visit Russia.
Zelenskyy, who also spoke with Trump on Saturday, said the two leaders discussed the war’s 1,200-kilometre front line and agreed to continue talks at the NATO summit in Ankara, which begins Tuesday. “There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram, adding that the U.S. president had confirmed Washington’s commitment to a rapid resolution.
The Kremlin’s framing of the call contrasted sharply with Kyiv’s account. While Ushakov accused Ukraine of pursuing escalation, Zelenskyy emphasized the potential for a breakthrough, stating that Trump’s involvement could be decisive. The Ukrainian leader had previously urged Putin to meet directly, but the Kremlin rejected the proposal.
The exchanges occurred as both sides reported little territorial progress in recent months, largely due to drone warfare that has hindered heavy vehicle movements and inflicted heavy losses. On Friday, Ukraine launched strikes on oil and military facilities near Russia’s St. Petersburg, further straining Moscow’s logistical capacity.
Trump’s outreach to both Putin and Zelenskyy reflects his administration’s shifting approach to the conflict, which has seen Washington prioritize its confrontation with Iran while maintaining rhetorical support for Kyiv. The NATO summit in Ankara will bring together leaders from 32 member states, including Trump, to discuss defense investment, Ukraine’s future role in the alliance, and broader security challenges in Europe and the Middle East.
Putin, in his conversation with Trump, also expressed hope that U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Iran conflict could yield “mutually acceptable long-term solutions” on key issues. The Russian president’s message underscored Moscow’s broader geopolitical calculus, which includes leveraging its ties with Washington to shape the post-war order in Ukraine and beyond.
As the NATO summit approaches, the divergent narratives from Moscow and Kyiv highlight the deep divisions over the war’s trajectory. While the Kremlin insists on a political-diplomatic resolution that accommodates Russia’s demands, including full control over Ukraine’s Donbas region, Kyiv remains steadfast in rejecting territorial concessions. Trump’s mediation offer, though still undefined in scope, signals a potential shift in U.S. strategy—one that could either bridge the gap or deepen the impasse.
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🇺🇸🇷🇺⚡️ — Putin called Trump Details of the conversation: — Putin personally congratulated Donald Trump and the entire American people on a significant holiday — the 250th anniversary of US independence. — The Russian President outlined to Trump the real situation in the zone of the special military operation, where the Russian Armed Forces are confidently advancing, liberating one populated area after another — Trump noted the enormous prospects for cooperation between Russia and the USA, which will open up after the conflict in Ukraine ends — Putin confirmed Moscows readiness to provide practical assistance in stabilizing the situation in the Middle East — The Russian President reminded Trump that he has a valid invitation to visit Russia — Whitcof and Kushner will continue their mediation efforts to resolve the situation in Ukraine — The presidents talked about the "common pages of history" of Russia and the USA. — Putin recalled Russias contribution to the establishment of American statehood, as well as the alliance between Moscow and Washington in the Second World War — The conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes. @Intelslava
telegram_Intel Slava · about 2 hours ago
🟠 UPDATETrump mediates Ukraine-Russia talks ahead of NATO summitKremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed Trump made the offer to help end the war during a nearly 90-minute phone call with Putin.📰 #Russia #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #GeoWire
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japantoday · about 4 hours ago
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gdeltproject.org · about 4 hours ago
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welt.de · about 4 hours ago
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adevarul · about 5 hours ago
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ukrpravda · about 6 hours ago
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gdeltproject.org · about 8 hours ago
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