Trump discusses with Putin and Zelensky ways to reach a settlement for the war and other issues

SadaNews - The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with his American counterpart Donald Trump on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence, noting that the two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara.

The Russian news agency "RIA Novosti" quoted Yuri Ushakov, Putin's aide for foreign affairs, as saying, "The two presidents naturally addressed the issue of reaching a settlement in Ukraine, particularly taking into account Donald Trump’s anticipated participation in the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7 and 8."

Ushakov added that the leaders discussed other international issues during the 85-minute call, such as Iran and the Middle East.

Earlier on Saturday evening, Kyiv announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with Trump.

Zelensky stated in a post on the platform "X": "President Trump and I discussed the current situation on the front line as well as our diplomatic efforts. There is a real possibility to end this war, and America's resolve is decisive."

He added, "We agreed to continue these discussions at the NATO summit in Ankara."

Leaders and delegations from 32 countries, including Trump, are expected to arrive in Ankara on Tuesday to participate in the summit.

Ushakov pointed out that Putin "clarified the actual situation on the battlefield (in Ukraine), where Russian armed forces are advancing with confidence."

The Kremlin announced on Friday that the Russian army had taken control of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, a city considered a fortified stronghold for Ukrainian forces and located on a route leading to the last major cities still under Kyiv's control in the Donbas region.

However, Kyiv denied that Moscow had taken control of the strategic city, asserting that its forces still control it and that fighting continues there.

Russian forces have seen little to no progress on the front lines in recent months, largely due to drones that hinder heavy vehicle movements and cause heavy losses on both sides.

On the diplomatic front, negotiations have reached a deadlock, with Moscow demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the entire Donetsk region, which Kyiv refuses.