Trump Offers to Mediate Ukraine War During Call with Putin

Former US President Donald Trump has offered to play a role in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating his readiness to work towards a swift end to the hostilities. The announcement came via the Kremlin, which relayed that Trump made the offer during a significant phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

Diplomatic Overture Amidst NATO Summit Preparations

According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the conversation, which lasted nearly 90 minutes, was described as "businesslike and quite constructive." Ushakov stated that Trump "once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis." This engagement gains prominence as both leaders are expected to attend an upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for July 7-8.

Ushakov indicated that Russia is pursuing "a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of Russia’s fundamental approach." He also suggested that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are prepared to continue their efforts to broker a settlement, potentially including another visit to Moscow.

Zelenskyy Engages with Trump on War Front

In parallel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed his own phone call with Donald Trump on the same day. Zelenskyy reported discussing the extensive 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) front line in Ukraine. He emphasized the "real prospect to end this war" and highlighted that "American resolve will have a crucial meaning." Both leaders reportedly agreed to continue their discussions at the upcoming NATO summit.

The period leading up to the summit has seen minimal territorial advances for either side on the battlefield, largely attributed to the pervasive use of drones which impede heavy armored vehicles and cause significant casualties.

Differing Narratives on Battlefield and Strategy

While Trump and Zelenskyy signaled intentions to de-escalate, Ushakov presented a contrasting view of the ground situation. He accused Kyiv and its European allies of seeking to "extend and even escalate the conflict, and on terrorism against civilians," referencing Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian targets, particularly in the oil sector, which have led to fuel shortages in some Russian regions.

Conversely, Ushakov claimed Putin had informed him of "the real situation on the battlefield where the Russian armed forces are confidently advancing, liberating one locality after another." This assertion comes amidst conflicting reports about the strategic city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. Russian commanders reported its capture, a claim dismissed by both President Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s General Staff, who maintain Ukrainian forces still control the city.