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An attack on Russian-occupied Crimea has resulted in one fatality and two injuries, according to Moscow-installed officials. The incident occurred as both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in separate phone calls with US President Donald Trump to discuss potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict.

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There is a real prospect of ending this war, and America’s determination will be crucial. We agreed to continue the conversation in person during the NATO summit in Ankara.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russia-installed governor of Crimea, reported the casualties on Telegram, though he did not provide specific details about the attack. This strike follows a recent increase in Ukrainian attacks on key infrastructure targets in Crimea, a strategic move by Kyiv to isolate the Russian-held peninsula as part of the war's latest phase. Ukraine's capacity for long-range strikes has grown, enabling it to inflict damage on Russia and increase pressure on the Kremlin, particularly as Russian advances have recently stalled, according to Western analysts.

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readiness to help achieve a quick cessation of hostilities and search for peaceful solutions to settle the crisis

During his call with Trump, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about ending the war, highlighting the "real prospect" and the crucial role of American determination. He also mentioned agreeing to continue discussions in person at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. The Kremlin reported that Putin and Trump's conversation was "constructive," with Putin congratulating Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump reaffirmed his readiness to assist in achieving a swift cessation of hostilities and seeking peaceful solutions.

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preference for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict, provided that Russia’s well-known, fundamental positions are taken into account.

Kremlin foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov stated that Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would continue mediation efforts. Putin reiterated Russia's preference for a diplomatic settlement that respects its core positions. However, he also accused Kyiv and its European allies of betting on prolonging or escalating the conflict, characterizing the European "party of war" as operating under a flawed perception of the battlefield, where Russian forces, he claimed, are confidently advancing and liberating settlements.

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the European ‘party of war’ proceeds from a flawed perception of the overall situation and the state of things along the line of contact