US President Donald Trump held separate phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey.
The discussions focused on a potential diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict, according to statements from both the Kremlin and Ukrainian officials.
Kremlin Details Call With Putin
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump and Putin spoke for nearly 90 minutes, marking the 250th birthday of the United States and addressing regional crises.
Ushakov stated that Trump reaffirmed his readiness to work toward a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis, as reported by RIA Novosti.
The conversation also touched on other global issues, including Iran and the Middle East, while emphasizing Russia's specific terms for ending hostilities.
Ushakov noted that Russia seeks a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of its fundamental approach.
He also alleged that Ukrainian forces and European nations are attempting to prolong the fighting through targeted long-range drone strikes on Russian infrastructure.
According to the Kremlin, Trump indicated that Washington's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would continue their diplomatic assignments and were prepared to make another visit to Moscow.
During the call, Putin provided an update on recent territorial developments in eastern Ukraine, asserting that Russian troops were confidently advancing and liberating one locality after another.
Zelensky Confirms Call, Denies Russian Claims
Following his discussion with Trump, Zelensky confirmed the high-level communications on social media, expressing optimism regarding American involvement.
Zelensky stated that the discussions covered the extensive frontline operations and subsequent diplomatic steps to be taken during the international meetings in Ankara.
He stressed that bilateral cooperation and international commitment remain vital to achieving a conclusion to the four-year war.
Zelensky added that there is a real prospect to end this war, and America's resolve is decisive, agreeing to continue discussions during the NATO Summit in Ankara.
However, Zelensky strongly refuted Russian military reports regarding the capture of Kostiantynivka, a critical defensive stronghold in the Donetsk region, dismissing the claim as a lie.
He challenged Moscow's claims by suggesting that if Kostiantynivka were under Russian control, Putin would have no problem meeting him there to find a diplomatic way to end the war.
Ukrainian military officials confirmed that territorial defense units are actively repelling Russian advances within the municipality, with spokesperson Andriy Kovalyov stating that the situation remains difficult.
Kovalyov said small Russian units had entered the perimeter but emphasized that Ukrainian forces maintain tactical control over the defense lines.
In contrast, the Russian Defence Ministry maintained that its forces had successfully advanced through all residential sectors of the town, from the southern to northern outskirts.
Separately, St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov reported that air defense systems shot down 72 drones overnight, with one crashing in Peterhof, causing no casualties or damage.
The diplomatic discussions come as delegations from 32 countries prepare to convene in Ankara for the NATO summit starting Tuesday.
