On July 5, 2026, US President Donald Trump offered to assist Russian President Vladimir Putin in finding a resolution to the ongoing Ukraine war. This proposal came during a nearly 90-minute phone call, as stated by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, ahead of a NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.
Details of the Call Between Trump and Putin
During the call, Ushakov reported that Trump reiterated his commitment to work towards a swift conclusion to the conflict. He described the conversation as “businesslike and quite constructive.” Ushakov emphasized that Russia seeks a political-diplomatic resolution that aligns with its fundamental views on the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed that he spoke with Trump on the same day, where they discussed the war's extensive 1,200-km (745-mile) front line. Zelenskyy noted that there is a “real prospect to end this war” and highlighted the importance of American resolve in the situation.
Progress on the Battlefield
Despite ongoing discussions, both sides have seen limited advancement on the battlefield, primarily due to the deployment of drones, which complicate the movement of heavy vehicles and lead to significant losses. Ushakov accused Kyiv and its European allies of aiming to prolong the conflict, citing Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russian targets which have affected fuel supplies in various regions of Russia.
