Putin tells Trump Russia open to resuming Ukraine peace talks

Putin Tells Trump Russia Ready for New Round of Ukraine Talks After June 22

Russian President Vladimir Putin informed former U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday that Moscow is prepared to begin a new round of peace talks with Kyiv after June 22, once the ongoing exchange of prisoners and soldiers’ bodies is completed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, did not confirm Ukraine’s participation in any upcoming talks. “The exchanges will be completed and the parties will discuss the next step,” he said.

The phone call marked the fifth direct conversation between Trump and Putin since Trump reentered the political stage and signaled a desire to reset U.S.-Russia relations—a sharp departure from President Joe Biden’s firmer stance on Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Trump’s approach has raised concerns among Western allies about the continuity of U.S. military and financial aid to Ukraine, with European nations now bracing to fill potential gaps if Washington scales back its support.

According to the Kremlin, the call reflected mutual satisfaction with the leaders’ personal rapport. “The presidents communicate in a businesslike manner and seek solutions to urgent bilateral and global issues, no matter how challenging,” it said.

Zelensky, meanwhile, criticized the tone of U.S. engagement with Russia, calling it "too warm" and counterproductive. “Any signals of reduced aid or equating Ukraine with the aggressor are deeply unfair. Russia started this war and doesn’t want to end it,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He also warned that the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could divert U.S. attention and resources, weakening support for Ukraine. “We hope aid to Ukraine won’t decline because of this. It was a factor before, and we can’t afford that again,” Zelensky said.

Fourth Prisoner Swap in a Week

Earlier Saturday, Ukraine and Russia conducted their fourth prisoner exchange in a week. The effort is part of a broader plan to repatriate 1,000 wounded soldiers from each side and return fallen soldiers’ bodies.

Photos shared by Zelensky showed Ukrainian troops, many injured and wearing camouflage, draped in flags and greeted by loved ones. Russia’s defense ministry released similar footage of its returning soldiers waving flags and chanting patriotic slogans.

Under the Istanbul agreements, Ukraine also received 1,200 unidentified bodies from Russia, believed to be Ukrainian citizens and military personnel. It was unclear if Kyiv returned any remains to Russia.

Despite the limited progress through talks, Russia has ruled out halting its offensive unless Ukraine agrees to cede territory and forgo Western military support.

Since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has displaced millions and devastated towns across eastern Ukraine with relentless bombardment.

Russia Steps Up Assault in Northeast

Russian forces have recently intensified operations in the northeastern Sumy region, aiming to create a “buffer zone” to shield the bordering Kursk region from Ukrainian attacks. Zelensky claimed Kyiv’s troops had halted Russia’s advance and recaptured one village, denying Russian claims of gains in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

According to Zelensky, around 53,000 Russian troops are involved in the Sumy offensive.