Trump Tells Putin He Is Ready to Help End Ukraine War in 85-Minute Call
US President Donald Trump held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss ending the Ukraine war ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.
Trump Holds Calls With Putin and Zelensky
United States President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday to discuss the conflict in Ukraine. [2] The calls took place ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. [2] The Kremlin described the Trump-Putin call as lasting one hour and 25 minutes. [1] Both sides said the calls were held to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. [2]
Kremlin Account of Trump-Putin Discussion
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the call as businesslike and highly constructive. [1] Ushakov said Trump reaffirmed readiness to help end the Ukraine war. [1] The presidents addressed the issue of a settlement in Ukraine. [2] Putin outlined the actual situation on the battlefield where Russian armed forces are advancing confidently. [2] The two leaders also discussed issues including Iran and the Middle East. [2]
Zelensky's Perspective on the Call
Zelensky called the discussion with Trump a very good phone call. [2] The Ukrainian president said they discussed the current situation on the frontline as well as diplomatic efforts. [2] Zelensky stated there is a real prospect to put an end to this war and that America’s resolve is decisive. [2] The two agreed to continue these discussions during the NATO Summit in Ankara. [2]
Context of the Upcoming NATO Summit
The calls preceded the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. [1] Heads of state and delegations from 32 countries including Trump are expected to arrive in Ankara starting Tuesday for the summit. [2] The presidents addressed the issue of a settlement in Ukraine taking into account Trump’s upcoming participation in the NATO summit. [2]
Iran's Position on Strait of Hormuz Fees
Iran’s ambassador to China said new fees would be charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. [3] Friendly nations would receive special treatment under the new arrangements. [3] The initial deal between Iran and the United States stipulated that commercial ships would transit the strait free of charge for 60 days. [3] Iranian Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said the country would work in collaboration and cooperation with Oman on new arrangements for the waterway. [3] He stated that as a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters Iran will definitely charge service fees. [3] The ambassador added that the new arrangements will concern guaranteeing the security of passage through the Straits of Hormuz, supervision of the passage of the vessels and guaranteeing and dealing with the environmental consequences of the massive number of ships. [3] He insisted such fees would not be a toll. [3]
Broader Regional Developments
Iran’s deputy foreign minister issued a serious warning over foreign military deployments in the Strait of Hormuz after the UK and France said they would work with Oman to secure the strategic waterway. [4] Lebanese media have reported fresh Israeli strikes in the south of the country despite signing a framework agreement with Lebanon last month to end the conflict. [4] The Iran-US truce has exposed a deeper battle inside Tehran where public rifts over censorship negotiations and the system’s future point to a survival debate that could reshape or further destabilize the regime. [5]
What to watch next: Heads of state and delegations from 32 countries including Trump are expected to arrive in Ankara starting Tuesday for the NATO summit on July 7-8 while the initial 60-day free transit period for ships in the Strait of Hormuz remains in place before any new fees take effect.
