Trump: settlement of the war in Ukraine is “much closer than people think”

U.S. President Donald Trump said that both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky want to end the war in Ukraine, calling a settlement “much closer than people think.”

The statement came before Trump’s departure for the NATO summit in Ankara.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump commented on the massive strike on Kyiv carried out shortly after his phone call with Putin on July 4.

“I think he feels the pressure. He wants to end it, and Ukraine does too. We’re negotiating, and we’ll see if we can get something done. It’s horrible,” Trump said.

Trump said “with complete confidence” that Putin wants to end the war, and described their conversation as “good.” He said Zelensky “really wants to end it now,” and that a settlement would be discussed at the NATO summit.

“So I had a very good conversation, and I think we’re close to getting this whole thing wrapped up,” Trump added.

These statements followed separate phone calls that Trump held with both leaders on Saturday, July 4. The conversation with Putin lasted nearly 90 minutes — it was their fourth talk this year. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that during the call Trump “confirmed his readiness to work toward the earliest possible cessation of hostilities,” and that the conversation took place “in a businesslike and highly constructive manner.”

According to a Kremlin readout, Trump also informed Putin that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue mediation efforts and were prepared to visit Moscow again. In recent weeks both envoys had been focused on the Iran negotiations, but are now expected to turn their attention back to the Ukraine issue.

After his call with Trump, Zelensky wrote on social media that “there is a real prospect of ending this war, and America’s resolve plays a key role,” adding that the two sides agreed to continue talks at the NATO summit.

On Monday evening Trump departed Washington for the two-day NATO summit. On Wednesday he plans to meet with Zelensky as well as with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The White House confirmed that the bilateral meeting with Zelensky would be a follow-up to the phone calls held over the weekend. The summit itself, taking place July 7–8, is expected to focus on burden-sharing within NATO and expanding Europe’s military contribution. Secretary General Mark Rutte is framing the meeting under the concept of “NATO 3.0.”