Putin and Trump discuss Ukraine by phone, Kremlin speaks of a diplomatic path, Zelensky also responds

A phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump took place, focusing on the war in Ukraine and the possibility of resolving the conflict through diplomacy.

The announcement was made by Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin’s foreign policy adviser, who explained that the two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine shortly before the NATO summit to be held on July 7-8 in Turkey.

According to the Kremlin, Putin reiterated that Russia is ready for a diplomatic solution, but stressed that it must take Moscow’s principled positions into account.

Ushakov also said the phone call was “professional and very constructive” and lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes. He also said that during the conversation, Putin reminded Trump of his standing invitation to visit Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is also ready for talks, but according to him, the first step toward peace must come from Moscow. In a response on social media, he said he had held a “very good” conversation with Trump, during which they discussed the situation on the front line and diplomatic developments.

“There is a real prospect of ending this war, and the determination of the United States will be decisive,” Zelensky wrote, adding that they agreed to continue the discussion in person during the NATO summit in Ankara.