Russian President Vladimir Putin has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Moscow is ready to resume peace talks with Ukraine after June 22, once the ongoing prisoner and body exchange programs are completed.
The announcement followed a fifth phone call between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office. According to the Kremlin, both leaders expressed satisfaction with their working relationship and commitment to finding diplomatic solutions to global crises.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, voiced skepticism. While confirming the exchanges were underway, he criticized the “warm tone” of U.S.-Russia communications and reiterated that Russia remains the aggressor.
The phone call comes amid a fourth round of prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine, part of a wider agreement to repatriate 1,000 wounded fighters from both sides and recover the bodies of fallen soldiers.
Ukraine also confirmed receipt of 1,200 bodies believed to be Ukrainian citizens, while denying claims that Russian forces had breached the Dnipropetrovsk region. Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had pushed back Russian troops in Sumy and retaken at least one village, adding that over 53,000 Russian soldiers were engaged in the offensive.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing in Kyiv that the escalating Israel-Iran conflict could further shift U.S. resources away from Ukraine, with Zelensky urging the West not to reduce aid.
