MOSCOW/KYIV: US President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that ending the conflict in Ukraine was vital and he was ready to help, Russian news agencies quoted Krem­­lin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying.

“As regards the Ukrainian conflict, Donald Trump again emphasised that a cessation of hostilities was vital,” Ushakov was quoted as telling journalists. “He said he was ready to act with European partners and Kyiv, including in talks at the G7 summit,” he added, referring to the summit of G7 industrialised countries this week in France.

Ushakov told the journalists that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have led US-brokered negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine war, would soon be undertaking another visit to Russia.

Diplomatic efforts on ending the Ukraine war have stalled as Washington remains focused on the conflict in Iran. During their phone conversation on Sunday, Trump and Putin discussed the latest diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement on the Iran conflict, Ushakov said.

Zelensky says will discuss war with US president at G7 summit

“The situation around the memorandum between the US and Iran was discussed,” Ushakov was quoted as saying. “Donald Trump said an agreement was close and he expects that the results of the difficult but ultimately successful negotiations can be made public.”

Ushakov also said Putin congratulated Trump on his 80th birthday in an “informal” way.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he will discuss the Russian invasion and efforts to end it during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump’s 80th birthday, Zelensky spoke by phone with the US leader.

The call was made public shortly before the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin also rang Trump to speak about the wars in Ukraine and Iran. Zelensky said on social media he and Trump “discussed things that could help bring about peace now, and I informed the president about the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened.”

“We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 Summit. We have some good ideas that could help advance peace and protect lives,” Zelensky added.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026