The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, during which Putin expressed readiness to declare a truce on Russia’s Victory Day, celebrated on May 9.
Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the call lasted about 90 minutes and that Trump supported the idea of a temporary truce, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
During the conversation, Putin complained about what he described as Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets in Russia and reiterated that Moscow would achieve its goals in the war, while claiming it preferred to do so “through negotiations,” Ushakov said according to RIA Novosti.
Trump, for his part, said a deal to end the war in Ukraine was “almost there,” according to the Kremlin’s account of the call.
The reported discussion comes against the backdrop of previous Russian announcements of unilateral ceasefires that Ukraine says were not observed.
Last year, Putin had declared a ceasefire ahead of Victory Day, beginning at midnight on May 8 and intended to last through May 11.
However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, citing data from Ukraine’s military command, said Russia violated that ceasefire at least 734 times between midnight and noon on May 8.
Russian forces had carried out 63 assault operations, 176 drone strikes, and 10 air strikes using guided bombs during that period.
Ukraine has repeatedly said any ceasefire must be genuine and verifiable.
Ukrainian forces remain on high alert, following continued tensions and aggression on the frontline.