Former President Donald Trump once claimed he could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict “within 24 hours” of taking office, but U.S. mediation efforts have failed to break the deadlock, and ceasefire talks remain stalled. According to reports from June 14, Trump spoke separately by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss resolving the war.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov briefed reporters on June 14, saying the conversation between Putin and Trump lasted 55 minutes. On the Ukraine issue, Trump stressed the importance of ending the conflict and indicated he was prepared to exert influence on European countries and Ukraine at events like the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit to help achieve this goal.
During the call, Trump mentioned that recent attacks targeting civilian sites in Russia had made the negotiating situation more complex, but he believed a swift end to the war could bring U.S.-Russia relations to “a new level.”
Ushakov said that in response to Trump’s remarks, Putin noted that Ukraine’s attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure would not change the course of the war. Putin added that if Zelenskyy wanted to meet him, “then let him come to Moscow.”
Ushakov also revealed that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to visit Russia in the near future.
Zelenskyy posted on social media on June 14, confirming he had a “pleasant conversation” with Trump. Since June 14 is Trump’s birthday, Zelenskyy offered his congratulations and thanked the U.S. for its support of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he briefed Trump on Ukraine’s performance on the front lines, and the two discussed measures to help achieve peace as soon as possible, though he did not disclose specific details. He added, “We agreed to further discuss related issues during the G7 summit.”
President Donald Trump IC photo
Reports note that Trump had previously claimed he could “end the Russia-Ukraine conflict” within 24 hours of becoming president, but as negotiations have hit a stalemate, he has stopped making such statements and often avoids the topic when pressed by the media.
Over the past few months, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure, aiming to cut off Moscow’s revenue from energy exports. Zelenskyy said that on the night of June 13 into June 14, Ukraine launched long-range strikes on oil facilities and chemical plants in Russia’s Yaroslavl and Tula regions.
Civilian targets inside Russia have also been hit. Andrey Klychkov, the governor of Russia’s Oryol region, reported that a residential building in Oryol city was struck by a Ukrainian drone overnight on June 13-14, killing one person and injuring nine others.
The Trump administration has tried to promote a ceasefire through direct contact with both Russia and Ukraine, but these efforts have yet to yield a breakthrough, as the two sides remain deeply divided on issues like a truce and territorial sovereignty.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 5, Putin said Russia is willing to make compromises on the Ukraine issue based on the consensus reached during his earlier meeting with Trump in Anchorage, Alaska.
Putin stated that Ukraine would have to accept that consensus to reach an agreement ending the five-year-long conflict. He emphasized that Moscow seeks a comprehensive resolution, not a temporary truce, and said, “There is no need to halt hostilities to start negotiations. Of course, Ukraine hopes we will stop our troops’ advance. But the best way is to end the war by accepting the compromise plan discussed in Anchorage.”
