Zelenskyy and Putin Separately Discuss Ukraine War with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin both held separate phone conversations with former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy's office reported that the call with Trump was "substantive," touching upon diplomacy and peace, and occurred on Trump's 80th birthday. The conversation lasted between 30 to 35 minutes, according to Zelenskyy advisor Dmytro Lytvyn.

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This was a rather substantive conversation, covering everything from birthday wishes to diplomacy and war/peace issues.

The Kremlin also confirmed Putin's call with Trump, stating that the discussion focused on the war in Ukraine, the situation in Iran, and an impending visit by a U.S. special envoy to Russia. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that the conversation also touched upon a memorandum of understanding being drafted by the U.S. and Iran, with Trump indicating the agreement was close to finalization. Ushakov added that U.S. Special Representative for Iran Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would visit Russia soon.

Trump, who has previously stated he could end the war within a day of taking office, has urged both parties to reach a resolution. He has also repeatedly called for Ukraine to make concessions to Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. A senior government official, speaking anonymously, indicated that Trump is scheduled to attend a G7 working meeting in France on June 16 with Zelenskyy, though a bilateral meeting has not yet been scheduled.

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The dialogue focused on the memorandum of understanding being drafted by the United States and Iran. Trump said the agreement is close to being reached.

Reports suggest that Russia's military advances have shown signs of waning momentum, and U.S.-led ceasefire negotiations have been delayed due to the conflict in Iran. The article also references a tense meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House last year, and Trump's controversial invitation to Putin for a summit in Alaska.

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Both agreed that U.S. President's special representative for Iran affairs, who is closely involved in Iran's affairs, Witkoff and Kushner, will visit Russia soon.