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Kiev signals fresh peace efforts
Separately, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also spoke with Trump and discussed steps that could help bring peace closer.
Ahead of the G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, where leaders are due to discuss the Ukraine war on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said he had discussed with Trump the position of their international partners.
“We talked about what could help to bring peace closer right now, and I updated the president on the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened,” he said, adding: “We have some good ideas that could help bring peace closer.”
US-brokered efforts to end the war have stalled as Washington remains focused on the conflict in Iran.
Zelenskyy, however, has argued that recent battlefield gains have created an opportunity for a peace deal. Earlier this month, he called on Putin to hold face-to-face talks to secure a ceasefire, a proposal backed by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany, who said Europe would play a role in the process.
Putin has dismissed the need for direct talks with Zelenskyy, insisting Russian forces are advancing and reiterating demands that Ukraine cede additional territory in exchange for peace, conditions Kyiv has rejected.
Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for US military support, particularly Javelin anti-tank missiles and Patriot air defence systems. Last month, he appealed to Trump and Congress for additional Patriot batteries, which Ukraine considers critical for defending against Russian ballistic missile attacks.
