U.S. president holds calls with Russian and Ukrainian leaders before NATO summit

The U.S. president spoke by phone with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts on Saturday, July 4, to discuss the conflict in Ukraine ahead of a NATO summit scheduled for July 7 and 8 in Ankara. Both sides stated the calls also marked the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Kremlin said the Russian call lasted 85 minutes and covered Iran and the Middle East in addition to Ukraine.

Diplomatic context A Kremlin foreign policy aide said the Russian leader outlined battlefield developments and noted the U.S. president's planned attendance at the NATO summit. Ukrainian officials said the call addressed the frontline situation and diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Heads of state and delegations from 32 countries are expected in Ankara beginning Tuesday. Negotiations remain stalled, with Moscow seeking Ukrainian withdrawal from the entire Donetsk region, a demand Kyiv has rejected. Russian forces have made limited progress in recent months, according to the report, largely due to drone activity that restricts heavy vehicle movement and causes losses on both sides.