Putin congratulates Trump on US 250th anniversary, boasts about capturing Kostiantynivka
Russian dictator Putin held a phone call with US President Trump, discussing the war in Ukraine and the upcoming NATO summit, while boasting about the capture of Kostiantynivka, according to Kremlin aide Ushakov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone call on Tuesday, during which they discussed the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
Ushakov stated that the call was initiated by the Trump administration and lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes. Trump reaffirmed his readiness to help end hostilities, and his special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are ready to travel to Moscow.
During the conversation, Putin reiterated his ultimative demands and blamed Ukraine for prolonging and escalating the conflict, accusing it of "terrorism against civilians." The Russian leader claimed a "confident offensive" along the entire front line and specifically boasted about capturing Kostiantynivka, calling it an "important step in liberating the entire territory of the DNR."
Ushakov cynically added that the Russian army will definitely take the remaining fortified areas. In addition to the war in Ukraine, the leaders discussed the prospects of restoring economic and military-political contacts. Ushakov said there are broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation, but Trump should end the "Ukrainian conflict" as soon as possible.
The call came one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of US independence on July 4.
