Donald Trump has told Vladimir Putin that ending Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine is critical and that he is prepared to help, according to Russia's Tass news agency. The phone call on Sunday, described as “friendly and frank” by Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov, lasted about an hour. Trump also informed Putin that the US is nearing a peace deal with Iran.
Trump spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the G7 meeting in France this week. Zelenskyy said he wished Trump every success in his efforts to end the war and updated him on the latest battlefield developments. “We have some good ideas that could help bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy added.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has continued for more than four years since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, now lasting longer than the First World War. Peace negotiations have largely been paused amid the conflict in Iran, but Trump officials have stated they want the war in Ukraine to end “as quickly as possible”.
During the call, Putin wished Trump a happy 80th birthday in an “informal” manner. Putin's greeting on the Kremlin website said he valued the mutual understanding between them and expressed confidence they could give Russian-American relations a new quality. The two leaders last met in Alaska in August 2025 to discuss a settlement of the Ukraine war.
Trump plans to celebrate his birthday on Sunday with a $60m “UFC Freedom 250” cage match on the White House South Lawn, featuring a 92ft steel structure and seven fighting bouts.
