Trump and Putin speak on July 4, discussing Ukraine ahead of NATO summit

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call on Saturday, July 4, lasting approximately an hour and 25 minutes, covering the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran as well as bilateral relations, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.bignewsnetwork+1

Independence Day Diplomacy

The call, initiated by the American side, began with Putin congratulating Trump and the American people on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Ushakov noted that Putin remarked on Russia's role in the founding of the American state. Trump raised the issue of ending hostilities in Ukraine "as soon as possible," while Putin said Russia is "continuing to seek a political and negotiated resolution to the conflict," according to Ushakov.pravda+1

The conversation also touched on the situations in Syria, Iran, and the broader Middle East. Trump reportedly made an offer to help resolve the Ukraine war in the context of his participation in the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for July 7-8. The two leaders agreed to hold another phone call in the near future.iz+3

Ahead of the NATO Summit

The call came just days before NATO leaders are set to gather in Ankara, where allies plan to pledge 70 billion euros in military assistance to Ukraine for 2026 and comparable support for 2027, according to a draft declaration seen by Reuters Thomson Reuters Corporation ↗ 2.36%. The summit will mark Trump's first visit to Turkey as president.reuters+1

The diplomatic outreach to Moscow ahead of the alliance meeting underscores Trump's continued efforts to position himself as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, even as NATO prepares to reaffirm its commitment to Kyiv's defense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also phoned Trump on July 4, calling for "American resolve" to help end the war.facebook+1

The July 4 conversation was the latest in a series of calls between the two leaders this year, following discussions in late April and mid-June that covered similar ground on Iran and Ukraine. Russia has previously accused the United States of failing to deliver on understandings reached between the two presidents at a summit in Alaska last August.npr+2