Trump tells Putin he is ready to help end Ukraine conflict

Published June 15, 2026 Updated June 15, 2026 10:09am
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, US, on August 15, 2025. — Reuters/File
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, US, on August 15, 2025. — Reuters/File

MOSCOW/KYIV: US President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that ending the conflict in Ukraine was vital and he was ready to help, Russian news agencies quoted Krem­­lin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying.

“As regards the Ukrainian conflict, Donald Trump again emphasised that a cessation of hostilities was vital,” Ushakov was quoted as telling journalists. “He said he was ready to act with European partners and Kyiv, including in talks at the G7 summit,” he added, referring to the summit of G7 industrialised countries this week in France.

Ushakov told the journalists that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have led US-brokered negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine war, would soon be undertaking another visit to Russia.

Diplomatic efforts on ending the Ukraine war have stalled as Washington remains focused on the conflict in Iran. During their phone conversation on Sunday, Trump and Putin discussed the latest diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement on the Iran conflict, Ushakov said.

Zelensky says will discuss war with US president at G7 summit

“The situation around the memorandum between the US and Iran was discussed,” Ushakov was quoted as saying. “Donald Trump said an agreement was close and he expects that the results of the difficult but ultimately successful negotiations can be made public.”

Ushakov also said Putin congratulated Trump on his 80th birthday in an “informal” way.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he will discuss the Russian invasion and efforts to end it during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump’s 80th birthday, Zelensky spoke by phone with the US leader.

The call was made public shortly before the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin also rang Trump to speak about the wars in Ukraine and Iran. Zelensky said on social media he and Trump “discussed things that could help bring about peace now, and I informed the president about the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened.”

“We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 Summit. We have some good ideas that could help advance peace and protect lives,” Zelensky added.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026

Opinion

Editorial

Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...
Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...