A cordial phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump on the eve of the G7 Summit underscored both leaders stated desire to pursue a negotiated end to Russias war in Ukraine.
According to Fox News, Zelenskyy disclosed the conversation in a post on X, where he publicly marked Trumps 80th birthday and emphasized their shared focus on peace. "I have just had a great conversation with @POTUS," Zelenskyy wrote, adding, "I congratulated President Trump on his birthday, and we have had quite a detailed discussion about many key things peace, surely, was among them. I wished President Trump every success, above all in his work to end Russias war against Ukraine."
Zelenskyy stressed his appreciation for American military assistance that began under Trumps leadership and has continued through successive administrations. "I also thanked him for all the support America has been providing to Ukraine, and it does matter that we remember with gratitude every step of that support from Javelins to Patriots," he continued, noting that he had briefed Trump on "the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened."
The G7 Summit, bringing together leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, will provide a rare venue for direct, high-level talks on the conflict. Zelenskyy indicated that the two men intend to build on their phone discussion, stating, "We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 Summit. We have some good ideas that could help advance peace and protect lives. Thank you!"
Trump, who turned 80 as he prepared to depart early Monday morning for France, is scheduled to join a working session with Zelenskyy on Tuesday, though aides have downplayed expectations of a formal bilateral meeting. A senior administration official suggested the encounter will still allow for substantive exchanges on Ukraine, even if it is framed as part of a broader multilateral agenda.
European leaders, wary of prolonged conflict and mounting costs, are using the G7 to keep Trump closely engaged on Ukraine policy and to press for renewed diplomacy involving Kyiv, Moscow and key European capitals. They are expected to urge Trump to back a framework for restarting talks with Russia while simultaneously tightening pressure on the Kremlin to deter further aggression.
Trump, who has repeatedly cast himself as a dealmaker capable of brokering difficult peace agreements, had hoped to secure an Iranian peace accord before the summit and has long framed his foreign policy around ending protracted wars. He has spoken of his ambition to "end the death" in southern and eastern Ukraine, where Russias Vladimir Putin continues to pursue territorial gains, a goal that now appears increasingly central to the diplomatic choreography surrounding this years G7.
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