Trump Speaks with Putin and Zelensky as Russia Claims Capture of Kostyantynivka

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin for nearly 90 minutes on July 4. It was their fourth call this year. Trump offered to help end the Ukraine war and reaffirmed readiness to facilitate the earliest possible cessation of hostilities.

Putin congratulated Trump and the American people on the 250th anniversary of US independence. The Russian side emphasized its preference for a political and diplomatic resolution. Putin stated that Russian forces are advancing confidently and now control the town of Kostyantynivka in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with Trump on July 4. Zelensky described the call as very good and said there is a real prospect to end the war. He noted that America's resolve is decisive and that the two leaders discussed the war's 1,200-kilometer front line.

Zelensky and Trump agreed to continue talks at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. Heads of state from 32 countries are expected to attend. Zelensky dismissed Russia's claim of capturing Kostyantynivka as a lie.

The Ukrainian military said small groups of Russian soldiers had infiltrated the town and that counter-sabotage operations were ongoing. Trump stated that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue efforts to broker a settlement and were prepared to visit Moscow again.

Putin expressed hope that US diplomacy in the Iran conflict would allow for mutually acceptable long-term solutions.