In call, Trump offers Putin help to resolve war in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump, speaking on the phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin for almost 90 minutes, offered help in finding a solution to the war in Ukraine, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in comments released early Sunday (5).
Ushakov said Trump made the offer during the call on Saturday, US Independence Day, in the context of his participation next week in the NATO summit in Turkey.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he also spoke with Trump.
"The American president once again confirmed his willingness to work for a quick end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis," Ushakov said of Trump's call with the Russian president.
Ushakov, who described the conversation as "professional and quite constructive", said Russia seeks "a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, taking due account of Russia's fundamental approach."
Ushakov accused Kiev and its European allies of "betting on the extension and even escalation of the conflict, and on terrorism against civilians."
He was referring to Ukraine's long-range attacks on Russian targets, mainly linked to the oil industry, which have caused fuel shortages in several Russian regions.
Ushakov said Putin "depicted the real situation on the battlefield, where Russian armed forces are advancing confidently, liberating one locality after another."
Russian commanders told Putin on Friday that Moscow's troops had captured the strategically important town of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
On Saturday, Zelenskiy and Ukraine's General Staff rejected that claim, saying Kiev's forces still controlled the city.
Russia has said any solution must include Moscow's full control over Ukraine's Donbas region.
Ukraine rejects this demand and Zelenskiy asked Putin last month to hold a face-to-face meeting with him, but the Kremlin leader refused.
US envoys
Ushakov quoted Trump as saying that Washington envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue trying to broker a deal and were prepared to make another visit to Moscow.
US diplomatic efforts are largely at a standstill as Washington focuses on war with Iran.
Ushakov said Putin expressed hope during the conversation that US diplomatic efforts in the conflict with Iran "will make it possible to find mutually acceptable long-term solutions to fundamental issues of a settlement."
Ushakov said Putin also reminded Trump that he has an open invitation to visit Moscow.
Zelenskiy, writing on his Telegram account, described his conversation with the US president as "very good", including a discussion of the 1,200km war frontline.
"There is a real prospect of ending this war and American determination will have crucial significance," he said. Zelenskiy said he and Trump agreed to continue discussions at the NATO meeting.
Source: CNN