UNIPA News | Kyiv | 02 July-U.S. President Donald Trump held separate telephone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reaffirming his willingness to help broker an end to the war in Ukraine, according to statements from both Moscow and Kyiv.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump and Putin spoke for nearly 90 minutes on Saturday, describing the conversation as “business-like and quite constructive.” According to Ushakov, Trump reiterated his readiness to work toward a rapid end to the conflict and explore possible solutions ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Turkey.
Ushakov said Putin told Trump that Russia remains committed to a political and diplomatic resolution, provided any settlement reflects Moscow’s core security interests. He also claimed Russian forces are continuing to advance on the battlefield, including around the strategically significant city of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Ukraine, however, rejected Russia’s claim of capturing Kostiantynivka. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian forces continue to hold the city.
Russia has maintained that any peace agreement must include its control over the Donbas region, a condition Ukraine continues to reject. Zelenskyy has previously proposed a direct meeting with Putin, but the Kremlin has not agreed to such talks.
According to Ushakov, Putin accused Ukraine and its European allies of prolonging the conflict and escalating attacks, referring to Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure, particularly oil-related facilities.
The Kremlin also said Trump indicated that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue diplomatic efforts and were prepared to visit Moscow again in an attempt to facilitate negotiations.
During the conversation, Putin also expressed hope that ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts regarding Iran would contribute to broader regional stability and invited Trump to visit Moscow.
Separately, Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as “very good,” saying they discussed developments along the approximately 1,200-kilometre front line. The Ukrainian president said Trump reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a swift end to the war.
“There is a real prospect to end this war, and American resolve will have crucial meaning,” Zelenskyy said, adding that both leaders agreed to continue discussions during the upcoming NATO summit.
