Lead

US President Donald Trump said he had "very good conversations" with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking by phone with both leaders on Sunday as Trump marked his 80th birthday. Putin placed the call first, which lasted just under an hour, and Zelensky followed with his own call, according to reports from France 24 and the South China Morning Post. Trump told reporters he saw both leaders as open to a peace deal: "Yeah, I'm going to do whatever I can," he said, describing his priorities.

The calls came ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, where the war in Ukraine remained a central flashpoint. Trump said his conversations reflected a new willingness in Moscow and Kyiv to consider negotiations, without outlining specific proposals.

Coverage Comparison

TASS, the Russian state news agency, devoted extensive coverage to Trump's remarks on redirecting Washington's focus away from the Iranian conflict and toward Ukraine. In several TASS reports, Trump is quoted as saying the United States would "focus on the Ukrainian settlement" now that the memorandum with Iran was concluded. TASS also emphasized Trump's stated readiness to "exert pressure" on European partners and Kiev to end hostilities, a point attributed to Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov.

In contrast, France 24 and the South China Morning Post framed the story around Trump's birthday and the significance of the two phone calls. Both outlets noted that Ushakov said Trump had emphasised the need to end hostilities and that strikes on civilian targets in Russia complicate a settlement, though they added that the White House had not confirmed those remarks. They also reported Zelensky's description of a "wonderful conversation" with Trump.

Key Claims

  • Trump said the recent phone conversations with Putin and Zelensky were "very good" and that both leaders are "open" to a peaceful settlement, according to his own statements carried by TASS and France 24.
  • Putin called Trump to congratulate him on his 80th birthday, and the call lasted approximately one hour, as reported by multiple outlets.
  • During the call, Putin's aide reported that Trump emphasised the need to end hostilities and was prepared to apply pressure on Kiev and European allies towards that goal.
  • Trump said he had met with Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit and that the United States would now focus on Ukraine, while the Iranian conflict would take a backseat.
  • The leaders discussed a potential US-Iran agreement, and Trump said the deal was entering a second stage of implementation, as reported by TASS.
  • Trump confirmed plans to discuss the Ukrainian peace process at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
  • A planned visit to Moscow is also expected for US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to Ushakov.

Perspectives

US President (via Trump's statements)

Trump repeatedly affirmed his conviction that both Putin and Zelensky are open to peace, saying "They are both open to the fact" and that he hoped to end the conflict quickly. He also indicated a willingness to use US influence abroad to bring the war to an end.

Kremlin (via Putin's aide Yury Ushakov)

Ushakov described the call as focused on ending hostilities and noted that Trump said he had plan to exert pressure on European allies and Ukraine to that end. Putin himself was reported to have warned that Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure would not alter Ukraine's battlefield situation.

Ukrainian perspective (via Zelensky's statement)

Zelensky called the call "wonderful" and thanked Trump for his support, while stating that he had updated the US president on Ukraine's military positions and discussed steps to bring peace closer. He said they agreed to continue talks.