© picture alliance / Russian Look | Kremlin Pool
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday to congratulate him on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. According to the Kremlin, the two world leaders also discussed the conflict in Ukraine ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
“The presidents naturally discussed the issue of a resolution [to the conflict] in Ukraine, taking into account Donald Trump’s upcoming participation in the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7 and 8,” said Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin’s diplomatic adviser, According to the RIA Novosti news agency, Putin “painted a picture of the actual situation on the battlefield (in Ukraine), where Russian forces are advancing confidently.”
Ushakov also reported that during the 90-minute phone call, Trump offered Putin his assistance in reaching a resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “The U.S. president reaffirmed his willingness to work toward a swift end to the fighting and to find solutions to overcome the crisis,” Uzyakov added.
According to Putin’s adviser, the conversation was “particularly constructive,” and Russia is seeking “a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict, taking Russia’s fundamental position fully into account.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also had what he described as a “very good” conversation with President Trump on Saturday. “There is a real chance to end this war, and the determination of the Americans will be crucial in this regard,” Zelensky said on social media.
Picture: © picture alliance / Russian Look | Kremlin Pool