Trump Says Ukraine War's End Closer Than People Realize

President Donald Trump declared on Monday that the prospect of resolving the war in Ukraine, ongoing for over four years, is "closer than people realize." He indicated he would address the Ukraine issue during discussions in Turkey this week alongside the NATO summit.

Trump made these remarks after speaking earlier this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He did not specify reasons for his assertion that a solution to the conflict is imminent, even as Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine early Monday morning, resulting in at least 28 deaths.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that he believes the U.S. position on resolving the conflict remains unchanged.

However, Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview that he believes Trump is viewing the conflict from a new perspective in light of recent Ukrainian successes.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, "I think this (resolving the conflict) is closer than people realize. President Putin wants to end it. I can tell you that for sure."

Trump noted he had a "good call" with Putin on the Fourth of July holiday. Kremlin aides described that conversation as lasting 85 minutes, during which Trump offered assistance in finding a path toward peace.

He added, "President Zelensky actually wants to end it now. We will go to the NATO summit, and we will talk about it, and I think we will get it done... I think we will end it. It’s a terrible situation."

Trump is scheduled to meet Zelensky on Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

An American official said the purpose of the talks is to provide fresh momentum toward ending the war.

The same official indicated that Trump is likely to hold talks with Putin after meeting with Zelensky.