US President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, during which he offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war, a Kremlin aide has said. The aide, Yuri Ushakov, described the conversation as “business-like and quite constructive” and said Trump made the offer in the context of his upcoming participation at a Nato summit in Turkey.
Kremlin's Account of the Call
“The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis,” Ushakov said. He added that Russia seeks “a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of Russia’s fundamental approach.” The Kremlin has not disclosed further details of the discussion.
Zelenskyy's Conversation with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke with Trump, describing the call as “very good” on his Telegram account. They discussed the war’s 1,200km frontline. “There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning,” Zelenskyy wrote. He and Trump agreed to continue discussions at the upcoming Nato meeting.
Accusations and Denials
Ushakov accused Kyiv and its European allies of “counting on extending and even escalating the conflict,” referring to Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian targets, mainly linked to the oil industry, which have triggered fuel shortages in several Russian regions. Ukraine has denied Moscow’s claim that Russian forces captured the strategic city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region. A Ukrainian army spokesperson told AFP the city remains under Kyiv’s control, while Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow’s announcement as “a lie.” He said on social media: “If Kostyantynivka were under Russian control, then perhaps Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war.”
Situation on the Ground
Ukrainian army spokesperson Andriy Kovalyov admitted that small groups of Russian troops have infiltrated the town but insisted that fighting is ongoing. “The situation remains difficult,” Kovalyov said, but Kostyantynivka “is under the control of the Ukrainian Defence Forces.” Putin, wearing a military uniform, had thanked troops on Friday for seizing the town, which had a prewar population of 78,000. Moscow’s defence ministry claimed: “Russian troops are in all parts of the town.”
Drone Attacks and Retaliation
Russia said on Saturday that Ukrainian drones hit an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Putin’s home town, as well as striking a port near Finland and falling on the historical Peterhof complex without causing damage. St Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov said: “Air defence forces shot down 72 drones, one of which crashed in Peterhof. There were no casualties or damage.” Moscow vowed to respond, claiming it downed almost 500 Ukrainian drones and 10 of Kyiv’s Flamingo missiles overnight. The Ukrainian attack came after a Russian strike on Kyiv this week killed 30 people, amid other strikes. Zelenskyy also claimed Kyiv struck the Kronstadt naval base in St Petersburg. Ukraine has been increasing strikes on Russian territory, hitting as far as the Urals, in retaliation for Moscow’s offensive. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defence shot down 62 drones headed for the Russian capital. Moscow said one person was killed in the border Bryansk region and another in Russian-annexed Crimea. Authorities in the border Belgorod region said “infrastructure facilities” had been damaged, leading to “disruptions to electricity and water supply.”
