Dr. Shariful Haque Priom

US President Donald Trump held separate telephone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 4, discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader international security issues ahead of a key NATO summit scheduled to take place in Ankara, Turkey.

According to statements released by both Moscow and Kyiv, the calls coincided with celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. The conversations came at a critical moment in the conflict, as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled and fighting continues along the front lines.

Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy aide to the Kremlin, said Trump and Putin spoke for approximately 85 minutes. During the discussion, the two leaders addressed prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine, while also touching on developments in Iran and the wider Middle East.

“The presidents naturally addressed the issue of a settlement in Ukraine, taking into account, in particular, Donald Trump’s upcoming participation in the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7 and 8,” Ushakov said, according to Russian state media.

The Kremlin indicated that Putin used the conversation to present Moscow’s assessment of the war, emphasizing what Russian officials describe as continued advances by Russian forces on the battlefield. Ushakov said Putin “outlined the actual situation on the battlefield, where Russian armed forces are advancing confidently.”

However, military analysts note that battlefield developments have remained relatively static in recent months. Despite intense fighting, neither side has achieved a decisive breakthrough. The widespread deployment of drones by both Russian and Ukrainian forces has transformed the nature of the conflict, making large-scale armored offensives increasingly difficult and contributing to significant losses on both sides.

Earlier the same day, Zelensky described his own call with Trump as “very good,” highlighting discussions on both military developments and diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the war.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Zelensky said the two leaders reviewed the current situation along the front line and explored possible pathways toward peace.

“President Trump and I discussed the current situation on the frontline as well as our diplomatic efforts. There is a real prospect to put an end to this war, and America’s resolve is decisive. We have agreed to continue these discussions during the NATO Summit in Ankara,” Zelensky wrote.