Trump offers to mediate Ukraine peace in calls with Putin and Zelenskyy ahead of NATO summit

Diplomatic flurry on Independence Day

Trump called both Putin and Zelenskyy on July 4, the 250th anniversary of US independence. The call with Putin lasted 85 to 90 minutes, according to Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. Trump offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war, linking the offer to his participation in the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7–8. Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as "very good" and said they discussed the front line and diplomatic efforts.

There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning.

Both leaders agreed to continue discussions at the summit. As a gesture, the 62-metre Motherland Monument in Kyiv was lit in American colours overnight. Zelenskyy also thanked the United States for its help and "American hearts" who value freedom.

Battlefield claims and counterclaims

Russian commanders told Putin on Friday that Moscow's troops had captured the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine. Ushakov said Putin depicted the battlefield situation as one where Russian forces are "confidently advancing, liberating one locality after another." Ukraine's General Staff and Zelenskyy rejected the claim, insisting Kyiv still controls the city. Kostiantynivka is one of the last obstacles on the route to the major Ukrainian-held cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, whose capture is a Kremlin objective.

Kremlin accuses Kyiv of escalation

Ushakov accused Ukraine and its European allies of "counting on extending and even escalating the conflict, and on terrorism against civilians," referring to long-range strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. He said Russia seeks a political-diplomatic resolution that takes into account Russia's fundamental approach. Trump, according to Ushakov, said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue mediation efforts and were prepared to visit Moscow again.

The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis.

Broader diplomacy and the NATO summit

The calls also touched on Iran and the Middle East, Ushakov said. Separately, Zelenskyy spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about recent Russian attacks on Kyiv and other areas, thanking Germany for its air defence support. Heads of state from 32 NATO countries are expected in Ankara starting Tuesday for the two-day summit, where Ukraine will be a central topic.