After a one-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3rd, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his frustration, stating that he had made no progress on the Ukrainian situation and is not pleased with the ongoing war. This sixth discussion between the two leaders since Trump’s return to the presidency yielded no breakthroughs, with Trump noting, “No, I haven’t made any progress” during his remarks to the press.
During their conversation, Putin reiterated Russia’s unwavering commitment to its objectives in Ukraine, while expressing openness to continue negotiations with Kyiv. As reported by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the discussions were described as “frank,” with Putin emphasizing Russia’s desire for a political solution to the conflict. However, Ukraine remains opposed to Moscow’s demands, which include the cession of four partially occupied regions and a commitment not to join NATO—conditions that are deemed unacceptable by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a related development, Zelensky, while visiting Denmark, called on European nations to enhance their support amid a perceived withdrawal of American assistance. He voiced hopes of speaking with Trump in the near future to discuss the situation further. This request comes at a critical time as the U.S. announced a temporary halt in the supply of certain weapons to Ukraine, raising concerns over the military support essential for Kyiv, especially with Russian forces continuing their advances.
This conversation sheds light on the ongoing complexities of diplomacy surrounding the Ukraine conflict. Both Trump and Zelensky’s engagement indicate a shared urgency for dialogue and potential collaboration, emphasizing the need for sustained international support to navigate the crisis ahead.