Trump Says Russia and Ukraine Are Closer to a War-Ending Plan After Calls With Putin and Zelensky

According to Lianhe Zaobao, US President Donald Trump said on July 6 that Russia and Ukraine are closer than expected to reaching a plan to resolve the war, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the fighting to end. Trump made the remarks after separate weekend calls with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and said he will meet Zelensky this week in Turkey during a NATO summit; US officials said the talks aim to renew efforts to end the war and Trump may then communicate with Putin. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the conflict could be resolved quickly if the US is prepared to act based on proposals Russia has presented to Washington, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s position on the conflict has not changed. Zelensky told the Financial Times he believes Trump is viewing the war from a new perspective after seeing Ukraine’s recent achievements. Separately, Moscow’s mayor said on July 7 that Ukraine launched more than 400 drones toward Moscow, with more than 430 drones flying toward the city from evening until 6 a.m., most intercepted at long range and 36 destroyed near Moscow. The report also said a heavy Russian attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas on July 6 killed at least 28 people, and Ukraine’s air force said it failed to shoot down all 23 ballistic missiles launched by Russia as Patriot interceptor stocks are gradually being depleted; Zelensky said Ukraine has the know-how to produce such weapons and that if authorized by the US to produce Patriot systems, Ukraine could make enough to defend itself and assist other partners.