Trump tells Putin he is ready to help end Ukraine conflict

MOSCOW/KYIV: US President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that ending the war in Ukraine was essential and said he was prepared to help, Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying.

According to Ushakov, Trump stressed during the call that a halt to hostilities was necessary and said he was ready to work with European partners and Kyiv, including in discussions at this week’s G7 summit in France. Ushakov also told journalists that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have been involved in US-mediated negotiations aimed at ending the war, would soon make another trip to Russia.

He said diplomatic efforts related to the Ukraine war had slowed while Washington remained focused on the conflict involving Iran. Ushakov added that Trump and Putin also discussed recent diplomatic efforts concerning Iran during their phone conversation.

Speaking to journalists, Ushakov said the two leaders discussed what he described as the situation around the memorandum between the United States and Iran. He said Trump told Putin that an agreement was near and that he expected the outcome of what he called difficult but ultimately successful negotiations to be announced publicly.

Ushakov also said Putin informally congratulated Trump on his 80th birthday during the conversation.

Zelensky plans G7 talks with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that he would discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and efforts to stop the war when he meets Trump at the G7 summit in France.

Earlier in the day, Zelensky spoke to Trump by phone on the US president’s 80th birthday. News of that call emerged shortly before the Kremlin said Putin had also spoken to Trump about the wars in Ukraine and Iran.

In a social media post, Zelensky said he and Trump had discussed steps that could support peace immediately and that he had updated the US president on the latest situation on the battlefield and on what he described as Ukraine’s strengthened position.

"We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 Summit. We have some good ideas that could help advance peace and protect lives. We discussed things that could help bring about peace now, and I informed the president about the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened," Zelensky wrote.

The statements from Moscow and Kyiv came as contacts continued ahead of the G7 meeting in France, where Ukraine and efforts to end the conflict are expected to feature in discussions.