Zelensky and Trump discussed 'peace efforts' in call before G7 meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Sunday that he held a phone conversation with former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss efforts to end the ongoing war with Russia. The call took place ahead of the G7 summit in France, where the conflict is anticipated to be a central theme.

In a Telegram post, Zelensky stated he wished Trump a happy 80th birthday and thanked him for Washington's support throughout the conflict. "I wished President Trump all the best, especially in his efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine," Zelensky wrote. He added, "We talked about what could help bring peace closer at this moment, and I informed the President about the latest battlefield developments and how our position has strengthened. We have some good ideas that could help bring peace closer."

Negotiations aimed at ending the war, previously mediated by the U.S., have stalled, with Washington currently focusing on the conflict in Iran. However, at the upcoming G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, leaders from the U.S., Germany, France, the UK, Canada, Italy, and Japan are expected to address the Russia-Ukraine issue.

Zelensky has recently suggested that a shift in the battlefield dynamics favoring Ukraine has created an opportunity for a peace agreement. He previously appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for face-to-face meetings to secure a ceasefire. Leaders from the UK, France, and Germany have expressed support for Zelensky's proposal. Putin, however, has dismissed the need for a meeting and claimed Russian advances, while reiterating demands for Ukraine to cede more territory for peace, a condition Kyiv firmly rejects.