Donald Trump has told Vladimir Putin he wants a swift end to the war in Ukraine, with the Kremlin saying the Russian president backed the proposal and that peace could pave the way for a full restoration of US-Russia relations.
The hour-long telephone conversation on Tuesday came after Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held talks in Moscow and Kyiv in an effort to revive negotiations that have stalled.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the discussions between the two leaders had been “constructive”. He said Mr Putin had outlined what he believed Washington could do to help end the conflict and provided an assessment of the battlefield situation.
“Donald Trump clearly emphasised the desirability of bringing the conflict to an end as soon as possible,” Mr Ushakov said, adding that this would create “impressive and far-reaching” prospects for the restoration of ties between the United States and Russia.
Mr Ushakov said improved relations could have a major effect on trade and economic links, bringing “enormous benefits” to both countries. Mr Trump was keen to secure a breakthrough during his presidency, he added.
There was no reference in the Kremlin’s account to an immediate resumption of three-way talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, although the weekend diplomacy had raised hopes that such discussions might return.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US envoys had presented several worthwhile ideas during their visit and expressed hope that he could meet Mr Trump within two weeks.
The diplomatic efforts were overshadowed by a renewed Russian assault on Kyiv after Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner left the Ukrainian capital. Overnight drone and missile strikes caused fires in several districts and damaged high-rise buildings, a dormitory, a school, a clinic, warehouses and other sites.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said five people had been killed in the capital and close to 30 injured. Two of the deaths followed a strike on a warehouse.
“Kyiv was exploding and burning,” Katarina Mathernova, the European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine, said in a social media post as explosions continued to be heard across the city.
Russia and Ukraine remain sharply divided over the terms of any settlement. Moscow is understood to be seeking full control of the remainder of the Donetsk region, while Kyiv has vowed to resist any attempt to seize more territory.
Mr Ushakov said Mr Trump and Mr Putin had also agreed on the need to continue prisoner exchanges and would remain in contact, including through another telephone call if required.
He also repeated the Kremlin’s assertion that Russia had no hostile intentions towards Europe, dismissing warnings from European politicians about the threat posed by Moscow as a pretext for increased military spending and support for Ukraine.
