U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help find a solution to the war in Ukraine during a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the two leaders spoke on Saturday (4 July) ahead of next week's NATO summit in Türkiye. He described the conversation as "business-like and quite constructive".
"The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis," Ushakov said.
According to the Kremlin, Putin told Trump that Russia remained committed to finding "a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict", but only on terms that reflected Moscow's core position.
Ushakov also said Putin accused Ukraine and its European allies of "counting on extending and even escalating the conflict, and on terrorism against civilians". The remarks referred to Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian targets, particularly oil facilities.
The Kremlin added that Putin told Trump Russian forces were continuing to make gains on the battlefield. However, Ukraine rejected Russia's latest claim that it had captured the key eastern city of Kostiantynivka, insisting its troops remain in control.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he also spoke with Trump on Saturday, describing the conversation as "very good".
"There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
He said the pair discussed the situation along the 1,200km front line and agreed to continue talks during the NATO summit.
Ushakov said Trump told Putin that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue efforts to broker a peace agreement and were prepared to return to Moscow for further talks.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war have slowed in recent weeks as Washington has focused on the conflict involving Iran.
According to the Kremlin, Putin also expressed hope that U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East would "allow for mutually acceptable long-term solutions to be found on key issues of a settlement". He also reminded Trump that he remained welcome to visit Moscow.
Despite renewed contact between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv, the two sides remain deeply divided. Russia insists any settlement must include full control of Ukraine's Donbas region, while Ukraine continues to reject those demands.
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