Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held separate phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, touching on a wide range of issues including the Ukraine conflict, the situation in Iran and upcoming diplomatic arrangements.
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, the conversation, which lasted about one hour and 25 minutes, was the fourth between the two leaders this year and was pragmatic and highly constructive. It allowed for a frank discussion of pressing issues on the bilateral and international agenda.
On the Ukraine crisis, Trump reaffirmed his willingness to push for an early end to military operations and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will continue mediation efforts and visit Moscow at an appropriate time, Ushakov said.
During the dialogue, Putin again stressed that Russia prefers a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict, but only on condition that Russia's well-known principled positions are fully taken into account. Putin also laid out the battlefield situation, where Russian troops are advancing along the full line of contact.
Ushakov noted that Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov had reported to Putin on Friday that Russian forces had taken full control of Konstantinovka. Yet Kiev and its European backers are still betting on the continuation or even escalation of the conflict.
On the situation in Iran, Putin expressed hope that a mutually acceptable long-term solution could be found on the basis of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. Russia stands ready to provide practical assistance to de-escalate the situation and achieve regional stability, Ushakov added.
On bilateral ties, the two presidents underscored the importance of sustaining consistent communication, including on military-political and economic fronts. Trump stressed that an early resolution to the Ukraine conflict would serve as a prerequisite to unlocking such cooperation.
The two sides agreed to stay in touch and hold another phone call in the near future. Putin also noted that his invitation for Trump to visit Russia remains valid.
Zelensky said on Saturday that he discussed the latest battlefield developments and realistic prospects for a ceasefire during his phone call with Trump on U.S. Independence Day.
The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on the frontline situation and diplomatic efforts, and agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting during the NATO summit in Ankara to continue consultations, according to Zelensky in his social media post.
Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky said he could meet the Russian president Putin in Konstantinovka if the strategic town were under Russian control, according to Russian media reports.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that Konstantinovka had already come fully under Russian control, adding that Russia welcomes Zelensky's expression of willingness to visit Russia in this way.
Once Zelensky is ready to make a "significant and responsible decision", he can travel to Moscow, Peskov said, noting that Putin has previously expressed his readiness to meet with Zelensky in the Russian capital on multiple occasions.
Putin, Zelensky hold separate phone calls with Trump
