U.S. President Donald Trump informed Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call on Sunday that resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a top priority and that he stands ready to assist in achieving a settlement, according to statements from the Kremlin.

The conversation, which lasted approximately 55 minutes and was described by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as "friendly and frank," took place on Trump's 80th birthday. Putin reportedly congratulated Trump in an informal manner at the start of the call.

Ushakov told Russian news agencies that Trump emphasized the importance of ending hostilities in Ukraine and expressed willingness to leverage U.S. influence with Kyiv and European partners to advance peace efforts. Putin, according to the readout, noted that Ukrainian strikes on civilian infrastructure in Russia would not alter the battlefield situation.

Progress on Iran AgreementIn the same discussion, Trump informed Putin that a U.S.-led agreement to end the conflict with Iran was nearly complete, prompting satisfaction from the Russian leader. The call also touched on planned visits by U.S. envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Moscow.

The U.S. and Iran appear close to finalizing an initial memorandum of understanding aimed at halting the fighting, reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, and addressing immediate economic concerns. Trump has publicly stated that the deal could be signed imminently, potentially as early as today, with broader talks on Iran's nuclear program to follow in a second phase.

Iranian officials have been more cautious about the exact timing, while mediators including Pakistan have reported significant progress toward an agreed text. The potential agreement comes after months of escalation that disrupted global energy markets.

Broader ContextTrump also spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday. Peace negotiations on Ukraine have faced delays amid the focus on the Middle East crisis, though both sides continue indirect and direct diplomatic engagements.

Analysts note that Trump's dual-track diplomacy reflects his preference for high-level personal engagement to deliver quick wins on multiple fronts. However, substantive breakthroughs on Ukraine remain challenging due to entrenched positions on both sides regarding territory, security guarantees, and NATO aspirations.

No immediate comments from the White House were available at the time of reporting, but the Kremlin readout highlights a continued channel of communication between Washington and Moscow despite ongoing tensions. (ILKHA)