Putin, Zelenskyy Hold Separate Calls With Trump

A Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea killed one person and injured two others early on Sunday, according to Moscow-installed officials, as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held separate telephone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump about efforts to end the war.

Get today's headlines by email

Russia-installed Crimean Governor Sergei Aksyonov said one person was killed in the attack in the northern part of the peninsula. Two others were wounded, including one person in serious condition. He did not provide further details about the strike.

The attack comes as Ukraine has intensified strikes on military and infrastructure targets in Crimea in recent weeks, aiming to isolate the strategically important peninsula from Russian supply lines. Russia seized Crimea by force and illegally annexed it in 2014, a move widely rejected by the international community.

Ukraine's growing use of long-range strikes has demonstrated its ability to hit targets deep inside Russian-controlled territory, increasing pressure on Moscow at a time when Russian battlefield advances have slowed, according to Western officials and analysts.

Trump Holds Separate Calls

The latest developments followed separate calls between Trump and the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said he congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. He said the two leaders discussed the situation along the front line and prospects for ending the conflict.

"There is a real prospect of ending this war, and America's determination will be crucial," Zelenskyy wrote. He added that they agreed to continue discussions in person during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.

The Kremlin described Putin's conversation with Trump as "constructive." Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said the call lasted nearly 90 minutes and marked the fourth conversation between the two leaders this year.

According to Ushakov, Putin also congratulated Trump and the American people on the anniversary of U.S. independence. He said Trump reaffirmed his willingness to help achieve a rapid ceasefire and pursue a peaceful settlement, adding that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue mediation efforts and remained prepared to visit Moscow.

Russia and Ukraine Maintain Opposing Positions

Ushakov said Putin again stressed that Russia preferred a diplomatic solution, provided its long-standing demands were taken into account.

He also accused Ukraine and its European allies of seeking to prolong or escalate the conflict, claiming that European governments had a mistaken understanding of conditions on the battlefield.

According to Ushakov, Putin told Trump that Russian forces were continuing to advance and capture additional settlements. He specifically cited the claimed seizure of the Ukrainian stronghold of Kostyantynivka, describing it as an important step toward securing the entire Donetsk region.

Ukraine rejected that claim. In a statement posted on Telegram on Sunday, Ukraine's General Staff said Kostyantynivka remained under Ukrainian control. The statement followed remarks by Zelenskyy a day earlier dismissing Russia's assertion as "just another Russian lie."

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 6 July 2026

View full article