Trump Offers to Help Putin Reach Ukraine Deal, Holds Separate Call With Zelenskiy

President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone for close to 90 minutes on Saturday, offering to help broker a resolution to the war in Ukraine, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. The call took place on U.S. Independence Day, just ahead of Trump’s planned appearance at next week’s NATO summit in Turkey.

Ushakov described the exchange as business-like and constructive, saying Trump reaffirmed his willingness to work toward ending the fighting quickly. Russia, he added, continues to seek a political and diplomatic settlement that reflects its own position on the conflict.

Kremlin Criticizes Kyiv, Claims Battlefield Gains

Ushakov accused Ukraine and its European partners of prolonging the war, pointing to Kyiv’s long-range strikes on Russian oil infrastructure that have caused regional fuel shortages. He also said Putin described Russian forces as steadily advancing, citing the reported capture of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk. Ukrainian officials and its General Staff denied the claim, saying their troops still hold the city.

Russia maintains that any settlement must give it full control of the Donbas region, a demand Ukraine continues to reject. Zelenskiy had earlier proposed a direct meeting with Putin, which the Kremlin turned down.

Zelenskiy Calls His Own Conversation With Trump “Very Good”

Separately, Zelenskiy spoke with Trump and later said the discussion, which touched on the 1,200-kilometer front line, left him hopeful about ending the war. He said the two agreed to continue talks at the NATO summit.

Ushakov noted that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to keep pursuing a settlement and remain open to another trip to Moscow, even as Washington’s attention is largely focused on the ongoing conflict with Iran.