US President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, during which Trump offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war, a Kremlin aide said. The aide, Yuri Ushakov, described the conversation as "business-like and quite constructive" and said Trump confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting.
Trump's peace offer ahead of Nato summit
Ushakov stated that Trump made the offer in the context of his participation next week at a Nato summit in Turkey. "The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis," Ushakov said. He added that Russia seeks "a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of Russia's fundamental approach."
Zelenskyy also speaks with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also spoke with Trump, describing the conversation as "very good" on his Telegram account. They discussed the war's 1,200km frontline. "There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning," Zelenskyy wrote. He and Trump agreed to continue discussions at the upcoming Nato meeting.
Kremlin accuses Kyiv of escalating conflict
Ushakov accused Kyiv and its European allies of "counting on extending and even escalating the conflict," referring to Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian targets, mainly linked to the oil industry, which have triggered fuel shortages in several Russian regions.
Battle for Kostyantynivka
Ukraine denied Moscow's claim that Russian forces had captured the strategic city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region. A Ukrainian army spokesperson told AFP the city remained under its control. Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow's announcement as "a lie," saying on social media: "If Kostyantynivka were under Russian control, then perhaps Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war." Ukrainian army spokesperson Andriy Kovalyov said the situation remains difficult but Kostyantynivka "is under the control of the Ukrainian Defence Forces." He admitted small groups of Russian troops have been infiltrating the town but insisted fighting was ongoing. Moscow's defence ministry claimed: "Russian troops are in all parts of the town."
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia
Russia said on Saturday that Ukrainian drones hit an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Putin's home town, as well as striking a port near Finland and falling on the historical Peterhof complex without causing damage. Moscow vowed to respond, saying it downed almost 500 Ukrainian drones and 10 of Kyiv's Flamingo missiles overnight. St Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov said: "Air defence forces shot down 72 drones, one of which crashed in Peterhof. There were no casualties or damage." The Ukrainian attack came after a Russian strike on Kyiv this week killed 30 people. Zelenskyy also claimed Kyiv struck the Kronstadt naval base in St Petersburg. Ukraine has been increasing strikes on Russian territory, hitting as far as the Urals, in retaliation for Moscow's offensive. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defence had shot down 62 drones headed for the Russian capital. One person was killed in the border Bryansk region and another in Russian-annexed Crimea. Authorities in the border Belgorod region said "infrastructure facilities" had been damaged, leading to "disruptions to electricity and water supply."
