**Trump Offers Assistance to Resolve Russia-Ukraine Conflict in Call with Putin**
**Published: July 5, 2026**
In a significant diplomatic overture, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to assist Russian President Vladimir Putin in finding a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This offer was made during a nearly 90-minute phone conversation on Saturday, as reported by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The discussion comes in the lead-up to a NATO summit scheduled to take place in Ankara on July 7 and 8.
According to Ushakov, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to working towards a swift conclusion to the hostilities and emphasized the need for solutions to address the crisis. The Kremlin aide characterized the conversation as "businesslike and quite constructive," indicating a mutual interest in exploring diplomatic avenues to end the conflict.
Ushakov noted that Russia is seeking a "political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict," taking into account what he described as Russia’s fundamental approach to the situation. This aligns with ongoing tensions as both sides have experienced limited progress on the battlefield in recent months, with the conflict heavily influenced by the use of drones, which have complicated traditional military maneuvers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed that he spoke with Trump on Saturday, noting that they discussed the extensive 1,200-kilometer front line of the war. Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the potential to end the conflict, stating that American involvement would be crucial in this regard. He indicated that both leaders agreed to continue their discussions during the upcoming NATO summit.
The NATO summit will convene heads of state from 32 countries, including Trump, who will gather to address various security issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. The summit is expected to focus on collective strategies to enhance regional stability and security.
In the context of the conflict, Ushakov criticized Kyiv and its European allies, suggesting they were aiming to prolong and escalate hostilities, particularly referencing Ukraine's long-range attacks on Russian targets. These attacks, primarily targeting the oil industry, have reportedly led to fuel shortages in several regions of Russia.
On the military front, Ushakov claimed that Russian forces have been making advances, stating that they have captured the strategically significant city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. However, this assertion has been contested by Zelenskyy and Ukraine's General Staff, who maintain that Ukrainian forces still control the city.
Zelenskyy had previously proposed a one-on-one meeting with Putin, a suggestion that was declined by the Kremlin. Despite this, Ushakov mentioned that Trump indicated U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue their efforts to broker a settlement and are prepared to visit Moscow again. However, U.S. diplomatic initiatives have reportedly faced challenges, as Washington has shifted its focus towards the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Putin expressed hope that U.S. diplomatic efforts concerning Iran could pave the way for mutually acceptable long-term solutions to key issues in the Ukraine conflict, as relayed by Ushakov.
As the situation evolves, the upcoming NATO summit may provide a platform for further dialogue among international leaders regarding the war in Ukraine and the broader implications for regional security.