Zelenskyy and Putin Hold Separate Calls with Trump to Discuss Ukraine War

Central Message

(Central News Agency, Kyiv/Moscow, 14th -综合外电报道) The Ukrainian presidential office announced that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call today with U.S. President Donald Trump, discussing war, peace, and diplomatic matters, emphasizing a 'substantive' conversation on Trump's 80th birthday.

The Kremlin also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin called Trump today to discuss the Ukraine war, the situation in Iran, and the upcoming visit of a U.S. special envoy to Russia.

According to AFP, the Ukraine war has already entered its fifth year, with U.S.-led ceasefire negotiations delayed due to the escalating conflict in Iran. Meanwhile, Russia's military advances on the battlefield are showing signs of exhaustion.

Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to President Zelenskyy, told reporters: 'This was a highly substantive conversation, covering everything from birthday greetings to diplomacy and war-and-peace issues.' He said the call lasted between 30 and 35 minutes.

Trump, who previously claimed he could end the war within one day of taking office, urged both sides to work toward ending the conflict. He has repeatedly called on Ukraine to make concessions to Russia, which launched its invasion in February 2022.

An unnamed senior government official said Trump will attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France on the 16th alongside Zelenskyy, but a bilateral meeting has not yet been scheduled.

Meanwhile, Putin also spoke with Trump today. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters: 'The conversation focused on the memorandum of understanding being drafted between the U.S. and Iran. Trump indicated that an agreement is imminent.'

Ushakov added, 'Both sides agreed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, special representatives of the U.S. president currently deeply involved in Iranian affairs, will soon visit Russia.'

Trump's previous meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House last year was marked by tension and sharp criticism from Trump. He also invited Putin to a summit in Alaska last August, a move that drew widespread criticism. (Compiled by: Ho Hung-Ju) 1150615