U.S. President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin that ending the war in Ukraine remains a critical priority and said he was prepared to help advance efforts toward a settlement, according to the Kremlin.
Russian news agencies, citing Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, reported that Trump reiterated the importance of ending the conflict during a phone call with Putin on Sunday.
According to Ushakov, Trump said he would discuss possible paths toward ending the war with European and Ukrainian leaders during the Group of Seven (G7) summit, which is scheduled to take place later this week.
Ushakov also told reporters that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Russia again in the near future as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts related to peace negotiations.
The Kremlin adviser said the two leaders also discussed the latest developments in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. According to Ushakov, Trump told Putin that a deal with Iran was close and that he expected the difficult negotiations to ultimately succeed.
The conversation came as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have slowed in recent months amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Ushakov added that Putin informally congratulated Trump on his 80th birthday during the phone conversation.
The war in Ukraine remains one of the most significant security crises in Europe, with diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and a broader political settlement continuing despite ongoing fighting. Western leaders have repeatedly called for an end to the conflict, while negotiations have faced setbacks over territorial disputes, security guarantees and the conditions for a lasting peace agreement.
The upcoming G7 summit is expected to provide an opportunity for discussions among the United States, European allies and Ukraine on future diplomatic initiatives and military support. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences for global security, energy markets and international relations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The phone call also took place against the backdrop of a breakthrough in U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Reuters reported on Monday that Washington and Tehran had agreed on a preliminary framework aimed at ending months of conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating a pathway for broader negotiations on sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Under the framework, the United States and Iran are expected to observe a 60-day ceasefire period during which negotiators will seek a more comprehensive agreement. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, has been welcomed by international markets and several governments, though key issues, including the future of Iran’s nuclear activities, remain unresolved.
