Zelensky: Russia rejected proposal for a meeting at G7, Trump speaks of progress

On Sunday, June 14, U.S. President Donald Trump held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after which he stated that both leaders are open to resolving the conflict. Moscow, however, was quick to temper expectations.

Putin initiated the 55-minute call to congratulate Trump on his 80th birthday, but the conversation turned to business. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Trump “once again emphasized the importance of a ceasefire” and expressed readiness to work with European partners and Kyiv toward that end. Trump also informed Putin of an imminent deal on the U.S. settlement of the conflict with Iran — which he officially announced several hours later.

Zelensky spoke with Trump separately and said they discussed “what could already bring peace closer,” and also briefed the president on the situation at the front line.

“We agreed to continue the discussion at our meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

On Monday, Zelensky revealed that Ukraine had proposed holding a direct meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains — in the presence of Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. According to the Kyiv Independent, Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv: “I think this would have been a good — actually, a very good — opportunity.” He said that “Europe and the United States agreed, while Russia once again demonstrated its unwillingness to engage in dialogue.”

The Kremlin has consistently insisted that any meeting take place in Moscow — a condition Kyiv regards as a deliberate avoidance of serious negotiations. Putin said last week that he “sees no point in a meeting with Zelensky.”

Upon arriving in France on Monday, Trump told reporters that his Sunday phone calls went “very well” and that Putin and Zelensky are “both open” to resolving the conflict, Al Arabiya reports. The Kremlin offered no confirmation of those words.

The G7 summit will run until June 17 and is expected to include sessions on Ukraine’s security: European leaders are insisting on a consolidated response that will maintain pressure on Moscow.