MOSCOW/BRATISLAVA/UNITED NATIONS - Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday held a telephone conversation that was "constructive and very frank," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said.

Ushakov said the call lasted exactly one hour, adding that during the conversation, Putin stressed that Russia has no hostile intentions toward European countries.

"Against the backdrop of speculation alleging that Russia holds hostile intentions toward European states, it was emphasized that we do not harbor any aggressive plans against Europe whatsoever. The circulated myths about a Russian threat serve as a cover for European nations to ramp up support for Ukraine and increase their own military spending," Ushakov said.

Ushakov said Trump, for his part, stressed the need to end the Ukraine conflict, a move that would immediately open broad and promising prospects for the full restoration of Russia-US relations.

The two sides agreed to continue efforts to resolve humanitarian issues, including the exchange of detained and convicted individuals.

When asked for further details, Ushakov said the conversation was strictly confidential. 

Lavrov: Washington considers Ukraine's NATO bid closed

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that Trump considers the issue of Ukraine joining NATO closed.

"Trump said, first, to forget even about trying to drag Ukraine into the North Atlantic Alliance. He said this was clear long before Putin's statements. The issue is closed, and there is no need to try to stir it up," Lavrov said on a TV program.

Russia is ready to continue talks with the US about Ukraine, he said. "They acknowledge the basic things and try to be useful around them. I believe this deserves support."

Lavrov added that Russia's discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow are based on Trump's position of not bringing Ukraine into NATO and recognizing the realities on the ground. 

Moscow believes victory in Ukraine 'very near'

Meanwhile, Russia is confident of victory in the Ukraine conflict and believes victory is "very near", Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

"We are sure that the victory is very near....Our combat operations are proceeding very successfully," Peskov told a press briefing, noting that Russia hopes a path toward a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict will be found sooner or later.

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However, he said the Ukrainian authorities have demonstrated little flexibility, and that he does not believe Ukraine genuinely wants to end the war. "This war could have ended long ago."

Peskov noted that US representatives have shuttled between Moscow and Kyiv in recent days, spending substantial time and effort relaying the two sides' positions. Russia expects progress on this front and hopes that trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the US will resume.

"Serious work is underway. We hope certain shifts will emerge in this regard," the Kremlin spokesperson added. 

Spokesperson: UN chief hopes for resumption of Ukraine-Russia talks

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, encouraged by recent diplomatic efforts, hopes to see a resumption of Ukraine-Russia talks, said his spokesperson on Tuesday.

The secretary-general is encouraged by recent diplomatic efforts, including the visits of senior U.S. envoys to Moscow and Kiev, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson.

"The secretary-general hopes that the latest initiatives lead to a resumption of talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, paving the way for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, leading to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in line with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and relevant resolutions of the United Nations," Dujarric told a daily press briefing. "The United Nations stands ready to support all meaningful efforts to that end."

At the same time, Guterres remains deeply concerned by the continuing attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia. He calls for their immediate end and urges the sides to ensure conditions conducive to the continuation of diplomatic efforts, said the spokesman.  

Defense ministry: Russia seizes 2 settlements in Kharkiv region

Russian forces seized the settlements of Dolgenkoye and Berezniki in the Kharkiv region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry further said Russian forces had also carried out a large-scale strike using land-, air- and sea-based high-precision weapons and long-range drones.

The targets included drone and cruise missile production and storage facilities belonging to Ukraine's defense-industrial complex, military supply transport and distribution centers located in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as military cargo unloading facilities at the port of Chornomorsk in the Odesa region.

It added that Russian aircraft, drones, missiles, and artillery struck Ukrainian transport and logistics infrastructure, together with temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries across 148 locations.

Russian air-defense systems also shot down 12 guided aerial bombs, one US-made HIMARS rocket and 713 Ukrainian drones. 

Slovakia calls for more active EU role in Ukraine peace efforts

EU leaders should have played a more active role in seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said in an interview with TASR TV.

Blanar said the US is now playing a significantly greater role in the peace process, while Europe has provided substantial financial support to Ukraine.

"At present, we basically don't have a seat at the table. We are simply paying all the costs associated with it," Blanar said.

According to data released by the European External Action Service, since the start of the war, the EU and our member states have made available to Ukraine over $226 billion in financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee assistance.

Blanar said Slovakia could find common ground with its partners in the Visegrad Four (V4), comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, on the need for a more active EU role in the peace process, although the four countries have different views on how to achieve a ceasefire.

He noted that Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic would not participate in guarantees for a 90 billion euro ($104.5 billion) loan to Ukraine, while Poland had decided to do so. "Despite having different views, we are still able to discuss these issues together," Blanar said.

Slovakia assumed the one-year V4 presidency on 1 July this year. According to Blanar, Slovakia is preparing for a meeting of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments, which is expected to take place in Lviv, Ukraine, but the date has not yet been decided.