U.S. President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin that ending the war in Ukraine remained a priority and signaled his willingness to help advance peace efforts during a 55-minute telephone conversation on Sunday, according to the Kremlin.
Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Trump emphasized the importance of a ceasefire and indicated that he was prepared to work alongside European partners and Ukraine to pursue a negotiated settlement. The call came just days before leaders of the Group of Seven are due to gather in Evian, France, where the conflict in Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions.
“As regards the Ukrainian conflict, Donald Trump again emphasised that a cessation of hostilities was vital,” Ushakov told reporters, according to remarks published on the Kremlin’s official website.
Ushakov said Trump expressed readiness to cooperate with European governments and Kyiv, including through diplomatic engagement during the upcoming G7 summit. According to the Kremlin adviser, Trump also suggested that a swift end to the conflict could pave the way for a significant improvement in relations between Washington and Moscow.
“He said he was ready to act with European partners and Kyiv, including in talks at the G7 summit,” Ushakov said.
The Kremlin’s account of the conversation also indicated that Putin remained unconvinced recent Ukrainian military operations would alter the course of the war.
According to Ushakov, the Russian president told Trump that intensified Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory would not change the situation on the battlefield. He also argued that Ukraine and its European allies would seek to use the G7 summit to promote proposals that would prolong the conflict rather than bring it to an end.
“In Evian, the Europeans and Zelenskiy will try to present everything to be precisely the opposite and will propose ideas aimed at dragging out the conflict and continuing hostilities,” Ushakov said.
The White House did not immediately comment on the Kremlin’s description of the phone call or confirm the details provided by Russian officials.
The conversation came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has continued to argue that recent battlefield developments have improved Ukraine’s negotiating position. Zelenskiy has said sustained military pressure has created a fresh opportunity to pursue a peace agreement with Russia.
Ushakov also disclosed that senior U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have played central roles in Washington’s diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, are expected to travel to Russia again in the near future for additional negotiations.
Diplomatic momentum surrounding Ukraine has slowed in recent weeks as the United States has increasingly focused its attention on the conflict involving Iran and broader tensions across the Middle East.
Iran was also a major topic during Sunday’s conversation. Ushakov said Trump informed Putin that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Tehran were approaching a breakthrough and expressed optimism that an agreement could soon be announced.
According to Ushakov, Putin welcomed the progress, saying the emerging agreement appeared capable of preventing a wider regional escalation.
The Kremlin adviser also said Putin informally congratulated Trump on his 80th birthday during the conversation and praised First Lady Melania Trump for her efforts to support the reunification of families affected by the war in Ukraine.
While the Kremlin portrayed the discussion as constructive, significant differences remain over the conditions for ending the conflict, with Moscow and Kyiv continuing to hold sharply opposing positions on territorial issues, security guarantees and the framework for any future peace settlement.
