Trump Offers Ukraine Assistance
Trump Tells Putin Ukraine Peace Critical, Offers Help; Iran Deal Progresses
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Key Points
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Putin’s birthday message wasn’t just a personal note: in a telegram published on the Kremlin website, he wrote, “I am confident that through joint efforts we could truly give Russian-US relations a new quality, and also do a lot for ensuring security and stability on the global stage,” describing the Kremlin’s intent as effectively a diplomatic “bid” rather than a simple birthday greeting.
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The reporting tied the Trump–Putin exchange to the status of Ukraine talks: Ukraine peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv resumed in Istanbul in early June after preliminary agreements, but the “fourth round of indirect negotiations collapsed,” and the article noted that neither side had publicly confirmed a Sunday phone call beyond a written message (with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying he couldn’t confirm whether Putin would go further).
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Ushakov said the U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—who have led U.S.-brokered efforts to end the Ukraine war—would “soon” be undertaking another visit to Russia, linking the diplomatic push to concrete travel plans.
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A prior Trump–Putin conversation provided context: the article said that exactly one year earlier (June 14, 2025), the leaders spoke by phone for nearly an hour, during which, according to the Kremlin readout by Yuri Ushakov, Putin discussed Iran—pushing for mediation between Tehran and Jerusalem—and briefed Trump on prisoner exchange arrangements under the Istanbul framework.
U.S. President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that ending the war in Ukraine is "vital" and that he is ready to help, according to Kremlin Adviser Yuri Ushakov. The call lasted 55 minutes, according to TASS. The White House has not yet released its own readout of the conversation.
The call came on Trump's 80th birthday and just days before the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, set for June 15–17. Trump also held a separate call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called it a "wonderful conversation" and thanked Trump for continued military aid, according to Anadolu Agency.
Trump Pledges to Pressure EU and Kyiv for a Deal
Ushakov said Trump told Putin he could "exert influence" on European partners and Ukraine to help stop the fighting. Trump linked the push to the upcoming G7 summit, framing it as a near-term window for progress. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will "soon" make another trip to Russia, Ushakov added, according to Al-Monitor.
Zelenskyy's office pushed back on any suggestion of outside pressure. His team said Ukraine's battlefield position has "strengthened" and that the two leaders would discuss peace terms directly at the G7. Kyiv has also raised concern that Witkoff and Kushner have traveled to Moscow multiple times without stopping in Ukraine, according to Kyiv Independent.
Fourth Round of Istanbul Talks Collapsed Before the Call
Ukraine peace talks resumed in Istanbul in early June after preliminary agreements, but the fourth round of indirect negotiations broke down without a deal. Disagreements over territory and security guarantees were the main sticking points, according to The Eastern Herald. Neither side publicly confirmed the Sunday phone call beyond a written message. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he could not confirm whether Putin would take further steps.
The war has now lasted more than 1,566 days — longer than World War I, according to The Guardian. Despite a Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage, Alaska, in August 2025, and a January 2026 Moscow meeting between Witkoff, Kushner, and Putin, the conflict has not moved toward a ceasefire.
Putin's Birthday Telegram Was More Than a Greeting
Putin sent Trump an official telegram on Sunday morning to mark his 80th birthday. In it, Putin called Trump a "bright, remarkable person" and wrote that "through joint efforts we could truly give Russian-U.S. relations a new quality." Analysts at The Eastern Herald called the message a strategic "bid" to reset relations on Russian terms, not a simple social gesture.
Putin also told Trump that if Zelenskyy wants a meeting, "let him come to Moscow," according to Reuters. He added that Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure make an immediate ceasefire harder to reach. The Kremlin described the broader call as "friendly and frank."
Iran Deal Nearly Done, Announcement Expected Soon
Trump told Putin a U.S.-Iran agreement is "near-final," and said results could be made public as early as Sunday evening, according to Ushakov via Xinhua. The deal is tied to a memorandum of understanding that includes the release of roughly $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to research citing Wikipedia. Putin welcomed the news and expressed satisfaction that hostilities would end.
Iran had suspended indirect talks with the U.S. in early June over regional violations in Lebanon. Trump has balanced support for Israeli military action with a parallel diplomatic track for more than a year. A successful Iran deal before the G7 could ease pressure on oil markets but faces opposition from hardliners in both Washington and Tehran, according to The Moscow Times.
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