Putin and Zelenskyy each speak with Trump by phone as drone strikes kill 2 in Russia and U.K. detains tanker

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/putin-and-zelenskyy-each-speak-with-trump-by-phone-as-drone-strikes-kill-2-in-russia-and-u-k-detains-tanker Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Putin and Zelenskyy each speak with Trump by phone as drone strikes kill 2 in Russia and U.K. detains tanker World Jun 14, 2026 5:59 PM EDT Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy each spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, as Trump marked his 80th birthday and the war in Ukraine remained a flashpoint ahead of this week's G7 summit. Putin's call with Trump lasted just under an hour, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who briefed reporters afterward. READ MORE: Ukrainian drone strike kills 1 and injures 3 in southern Russia On Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized the need to end hostilities and stated his readiness to influence European allies and Kyiv toward that goal, including at the upcoming G7 summit. Trump also said that recent strikes on civilian targets in Russia complicate a settlement — though the White House has not confirmed that, nor commented on the call — and said that ending the war quickly could open the door to "a truly new quality of U.S.-Russian relations," Ushakov quoted him as saying. Putin, for his part, argued that attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure by Kyiv would not change Ukraine's position on the battlefield, and said that if Zelenskyy wants a meeting with him, "let him come to Moscow," according to Ushakov. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Russia soon, Ushakov said. The leaders also discussed Iran, where Trump said a U.S. agreement with Tehran was close and that he hoped the results of the talks could be made public today, Ushakov said. READ MORE: Britain detains sanctioned oil tanker suspected of ties to Russia's shadow fleet Zelenskyy said in a statement on Telegram Sunday that he had a "wonderful conversation" with Trump. Beyond congratulating Trump on his birthday, the Ukrainian president said he thanked the U.S. president for supporting Ukraine. He said they discussed "what could help bring peace closer now," without providing details. Zelenskyy also informed Trump about how Ukraine's position along the eastern front line has improved and strengthened. "We agreed to discuss more during our meeting at the G7 summit," he said. The calls came as Trump prepared to mark his birthday with a UFC fight on the White House lawn Sunday evening, an event without precedent in American history. Once it concludes, Trump is set to fly overnight to France for the G7 summit, where Ukraine is expected to be a major topic of discussion Tuesday and Zelenskyy is due to join the gathering. Russia's war in Ukraine has long frustrated Trump, who as a candidate claimed he could end the conflict within 24 hou