In their sixth phone call in recent months, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine as the central topic of conversation. The hour-long discussion on Thursday, July 3, 2025, covered bilateral relations, the Ukraine conflict, and developments in the Middle East, according to the Kremlin.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Usakov reported that after the call, Putin congratulated Trump on Independence Day (July 4) and noted Russia’s historical role in shaping the American state structure. Trump began the conversation by sharing details about the passage of his economic bill. He once again emphasized the need for a swift end to military actions in Ukraine.
Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to continue negotiations with Ukraine but stressed that Moscow would not compromise on its objectives to address the “deeper causes” of the conflict—widely seen as a reference to NATO expansion and perceived security threats against Russia. This stance remains a key point of contention in peace talks, as Kyiv pushes for an unconditional ceasefire while Russia insists on addressing broader geopolitical concerns.
The leaders also touched upon Syria and agreed to maintain dialogue. According to the Kremlin, no specific dates were set for a third round of negotiations in Istanbul, but both sides reaffirmed that talks should remain direct between Russia and Ukraine. Discussions extended to the situation in Iran and the broader Middle East, where Putin emphasized the importance of resolving tensions through political and diplomatic means.
No formal plans for a meeting were discussed, though Usakov noted the idea remains on the table. Both leaders agreed to continue communication moving forward.