Donald Trump has stepped back into the diplomatic arena to try to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. On the United States’ Independence Day he first spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and then with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two calls aimed to revive dialogue after recent strikes: Russia has hit civilian buildings in Kyiv and Kharkiv, and Ukraine has responded with drone and missile raids on refineries and oil facilities.

“There is a real possibility of ending this war” with Russia, Zelensky said. He added that “American determination will be decisive” after a “very positive” conversation with Trump. The two leaders are due to meet in a few days in Ankara for the NATO summit on July 7–8. Just before that meeting, Trump and Putin held a direct contact: according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the call—lasting one hour and 25 minutes on the United States’ 250th anniversary—addressed prospects for a solution in Ukraine, taking into account Trump’s upcoming participation in the NATO summit. Moscow said the conversation was initiated by the United States.

The Tass news agency relayed Ushakov’s account in detail. “Putin confirmed an invitation to Trump to visit Russia.” The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, with the US president saying he was willing to facilitate efforts to find peaceful solutions and stressing the need to resolve the Ukrainian conflict quickly to realize the potential for US-Russia economic cooperation. The two agreed to stay in touch and speak again soon. Trump is reportedly ready to resume direct dialogue with Moscow: “Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner said they are available to return to Moscow,” Ushakov said, describing the conversation as professional and very constructive and allowing frank discussion of bilateral and international issues.

In recent days Russia claimed to have taken the city of Kostyantynivka, which it describes as a crucial node in the campaign to control the Donbass. Ukraine denies Moscow’s account; that claim was reportedly discussed during the call. “Putin informed Trump about the real situation on the battlefield in the Northeastern Military District, including in the context of the liberation of Kostyantynivka,” Ushakov said.

Further developments are expected.

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