Putin, Trump Hold Positive Phone Call on Ukraine Conflict, Agree to Continue Diplomatic Efforts

Moscow, The Gulf Observer: Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a positive telephone conversation focused on diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Tuesday.

The hour-long call followed a new round of diplomatic efforts by Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who held talks with President Putin in Moscow for more than three hours on Saturday before traveling to Kyiv the following day for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Speaking to reporters, Ushakov said both Putin and Trump had positively assessed the recent visits by their envoys and agreed that diplomatic efforts through this and other channels would continue.

According to Ushakov, President Putin praised US mediation efforts and expressed appreciation for President Trump personally. Trump, meanwhile, conveyed his hope for a breakthrough in resolving the Ukraine conflict during his presidency.

Ushakov said Trump told Putin that ending the conflict would create conditions for the full restoration of Russia-US relations. He also said renewed trade and economic ties between the two countries could bring “enormous benefits” to both sides.

Putin welcomed the prospect of developing what Ushakov described as “a constructive partnership between two great powers.”

The Kremlin aide further said Putin told Trump that Moscow had no hostile intentions toward European countries. According to Ushakov, the Russian president argued that claims about a Russian threat were being used as a justification for European countries to increase their support for Ukraine and raise military spending.

Putin also briefed Trump on developments on the battlefield, including Moscow’s assessment of prospects for further advances and the achievement of its stated military objectives.

During the conversation, Putin also acknowledged Melania Trump’s efforts to facilitate the reunification of Russian and Ukrainian children with their families.

Ushakov said the two presidents agreed to remain in contact and speak by telephone whenever necessary, underscoring their intention to maintain diplomatic engagement on the Ukraine conflict and broader Russia-US relations.