US President Donald Trump offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war during a nearly 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin confirmed. The call, held on US Independence Day, was described as 'business-like and quite constructive' by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. Trump reaffirmed Washington's willingness to work toward ending the conflict, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner continuing mediation efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with Trump, calling the conversation 'very good' and emphasizing the need for 'American resolve' to end the war. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine presented conflicting narratives on the battlefield. The Kremlin claimed Russian forces were 'confidently advancing,' citing the capture of the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine. However, Ukrainian officials dismissed the claim, stating the city remained under Kyiv's control.
The Kremlin accused Kyiv and its European allies of 'counting on extending and even escalating the conflict,' referencing Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities. Zelensky defended the attacks, calling them 'important military targets' that generate revenue for Russia's war effort. Russia has insisted any resolution must include Moscow assuming full control over Ukraine's Donbas region, a demand Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.