Washington: US President Donald Trump held separate telephone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, renewing efforts to encourage a political solution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to the Kremlin, the call with Putin lasted nearly 90 minutes and focused on possible ways to reduce the conflict ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump expressed a willingness to help bring the fighting to an end and support diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
During the conversation, Russia reiterated that any settlement must take into account Moscow’s long-standing position on the conflict. Russian officials also claimed military advances in eastern Ukraine, including the capture of the strategic city of Kostiantynivka, a claim that Ukraine has denied.
Ukraine maintained that its forces remain in control of Kostiantynivka. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the separate conversation with Trump as ‘very good’ and said both leaders discussed developments along the more than 1,200-kilometre front line. Zelenskyy added that continued American engagement would play a crucial role in efforts to end the war.
According to the Kremlin, Trump also said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue working to broker a settlement and were prepared to make another visit to Moscow if required. The discussions also touched on broader international issues, including the situation involving Iran, with Putin expressing hope that diplomatic efforts would lead to a long-term solution.
The latest round of calls comes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have slowed in recent months. Russia continues to insist that any agreement must include recognition of its control over parts of eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv has repeatedly rejected those demands and continues to seek international support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to continue discussions during the upcoming NATO summit, where the war in Ukraine is expected to remain one of the key issues on the agenda.
The separate conversations highlight renewed diplomatic engagement, although significant differences between Russia and Ukraine continue to stand in the way of a negotiated settlement.
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