Russian President Vladimir Putin told US counterpart Donald Trump on Saturday that Moscow was prepared to resume peace talks with Kyiv after June 22, once both sides completed the exchange of prisoners and fallen soldiers.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky did not confirm whether Ukraine would participate in the next round of talks. He simply stated, “The exchanges will be completed and the parties will discuss the next step.”
This marked the fifth phone call between Putin and Trump since the Republican returned to office. Trump, aiming to rebuild relations with Moscow, took a starkly different approach from his predecessor Joe Biden, whose administration had confronted Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump’s strategy has shocked many of Washington’s allies, creating uncertainty over future US support for Kyiv and prompting Europe to consider how it might fill any potential gap in military and financial aid.
According to the Kremlin, “Both leaders expressed satisfaction with their personal relationship.” The Kremlin also noted that they “communicate in a businesslike manner and seek solutions to pressing bilateral and international issues, regardless of complexity.”
President Zelensky criticised the tone of US-Russia dialogue, describing it as “too warm” and ineffective in resolving the war.
“Any signals of reduced aid, or treating Ukraine and Russia as equals, are deeply unjust. Russia is the aggressor. They started this war and have no intention of ending it,” he posted on X.
Zelensky also warned against a drop in support due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. With European aid slowing and US backing uncertain, Kyiv fears that Washington may divert resources to support Israel’s military response against Iran.
“We hope aid to Ukraine does not diminish because of this,” he said. “Previously, such events delayed our assistance.”
More Prisoners Exchanged
Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine and Russia conducted their fourth prisoner exchange in a week. This was part of a wider agreement to return 1,000 wounded prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers from each side.
Images shared by Zelensky on Telegram showed Ukrainian soldiers, many with shaved heads and camouflage, draped in national flags. Some were injured, while others disembarked from buses, embracing loved ones or making phone calls.
Russia’s defence ministry released its own footage showing soldiers in uniform waving flags and chanting “Glory to Russia” and “Hooray”, some raising fists in celebration.
As agreed in Istanbul, Russia also returned 1,200 unidentified bodies to Ukraine, claiming they were Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. Ukraine did not confirm whether it had reciprocated.
Despite repeated international calls for a ceasefire, Russia has refused to end its offensive unless Ukraine cedes territory and abandons Western military support.
Since the February 2022 invasion, millions have fled Ukraine, and large parts of its east have suffered extensive destruction due to Russian bombardment.
Russia has recently intensified its offensive along the front line, particularly in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, where it aims to establish a “buffer zone” to shield its adjacent Kursk region.
Zelensky reported that Ukrainian forces had halted the Russian advance in Sumy and recaptured a village. He also dismissed claims that Russian troops had entered Dnipropetrovsk region, stating that 53,000 Russian soldiers had taken part in the Sumy operation.