US President Donald Trump has offered Russian President Vladimir Putin help in finding a political solution to the Ukraine war, according to the Kremlin.
The phone call between Trump and Putin lasted nearly 90 minutes, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said. The conversation was made public on July 5, 2026, as the Russia-Ukraine war continued with heavy fighting and growing international concern.
According to the Kremlin, Trump told Putin that the United States was ready to support efforts aimed at ending the conflict quickly. Trump also spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, showing that Washington remains involved in discussions linked to the war.
The call comes ahead of a planned NATO summit in Turkey, where leaders are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine, defence spending and security issues facing Europe.
The Russia-Ukraine war has continued for more than four years and has caused major destruction, loss of life and displacement. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes, while cities, roads, power systems and public services have been damaged.
Any direct discussion between the United States and Russia is being watched closely because Washington remains one of Ukraine’s most important international partners.
Kremlin Says Trump Wants a Quick End to Fighting
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump repeated his willingness to work toward a rapid end to the fighting.
According to the Kremlin’s account, Trump said the United States was ready to help find solutions that could reduce the conflict and support a political settlement.
Russia has said it wants a diplomatic solution, but it has also repeated that any agreement must take account of what it calls its main security and political concerns.
Ukraine and its European allies have often said that a peace agreement cannot be based on pressure placed only on Kyiv. They argue that Ukraine must be involved in every decision about its territory, security and future.
The Kremlin also accused Ukraine and European countries of wanting to continue the conflict. Kyiv and its allies reject this claim and say Russia began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The different positions show why peace talks remain extremely difficult.
Trump Also Speaks With Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he also spoke with Trump.
The details of their conversation were not fully released immediately, but the call is important because Ukraine wants to make sure that its views are included in any peace effort.
Zelenskiy has repeatedly said that Ukraine will not accept an agreement that forces the country to give up control over its land or weakens its ability to defend itself.
Ukraine has received military, financial and humanitarian support from the United States and European countries since the war began.
For Kyiv, continued support from Washington remains important. Ukraine depends on international assistance for air defence systems, ammunition, intelligence support, financial aid and rebuilding efforts.
Any change in US policy could have a major impact on the war and on future negotiations.
Russia and Ukraine Disagree Over Battlefield Situation
The phone call happened as Russia and Ukraine continued to make different claims about the battlefield.
Russian commanders told Putin that Russian forces had captured Kostiantynivka, a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine.
However, Zelenskiy and Ukraine’s military leadership rejected the Russian claim. Ukrainian officials said their forces still controlled the city.
Kostiantynivka is important because it is located near major routes in the Donetsk region. Control of the area could affect military movement, supply lines and future operations.
The city has faced repeated attacks during the war, and many residents have already left because of shelling and security risks.
Conflicting claims are common during wartime. Both sides often release statements about territorial control, but independent confirmation can be difficult in active combat zones.
Why the United States Has a Major Role
The United States has played a major role in the Ukraine war since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Washington has provided Ukraine with military equipment, financial support and diplomatic backing. It has also worked with European allies to impose sanctions on Russia.
At the same time, US leaders have said they want to avoid a wider war between Russia and NATO countries.
Trump’s offer to help find a settlement suggests that the United States may be trying to increase diplomatic efforts while continuing to monitor the military situation.
The challenge is that Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on the main issues.
Russia wants security guarantees and has made territorial demands. Ukraine wants Russia to withdraw from occupied areas and respect Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders.
A peace deal would also need to address prisoner exchanges, humanitarian access, rebuilding, sanctions and long-term security arrangements.
NATO Summit in Turkey Expected to Focus on Ukraine
The upcoming NATO summit in Turkey is expected to be an important event for the Ukraine war.
NATO leaders will discuss defence planning, military support for Ukraine and the security situation in Europe.
The alliance has said that Russia’s war against Ukraine has changed the security environment across the continent.
Several European countries have increased defence spending and strengthened military cooperation because of concerns about the conflict.
The summit may also include discussions about how NATO members can continue supporting Ukraine without becoming directly involved in the war.
For many European governments, the main concern is that a weak or unfair peace deal could create more instability in the future.
They want any agreement to reduce fighting while also protecting Ukraine’s independence and security.
Peace Talks Face Major Obstacles
Efforts to end the war have faced repeated obstacles.
Russia and Ukraine have different views about territory, military security, NATO, sanctions and political control of occupied regions.
Even if leaders agree to a temporary ceasefire, maintaining it could be difficult. Both sides would need to trust that the other side would follow the agreement.
Previous ceasefires and negotiations have often broken down because of new attacks, political disagreements or accusations of violations.
There is also the issue of accountability. Ukraine wants those responsible for war crimes and destruction to be held accountable. Russia has rejected many accusations made by Ukraine and Western governments.
For ordinary people living near the front line, the most urgent need is safety. Families want shelling to stop, homes to be protected and basic services to return.
What Happens Next
Trump’s calls with Putin and Zelenskiy may become part of a wider diplomatic effort ahead of the NATO summit.
US officials and envoys are expected to continue speaking with Russian, Ukrainian and European representatives.
However, there is no sign yet that a final peace agreement is close.
The war continues to affect millions of people, and fighting remains active in several parts of Ukraine.
For now, the phone call shows that the United States is still trying to keep diplomatic channels open with both Russia and Ukraine.
Whether those talks can lead to a ceasefire or peace deal will depend on whether all sides are willing to make difficult decisions in the coming months.