Trump and Putin hold 90-minute call, discuss Ukraine war and Iran tensions
Photo: Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a phone call on April 29. One of the key topics discussed was the settlement of Russia’s war against Ukraine, stated Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov.
According to Ushakov, the call between Trump and Putin lasted more than an hour and a half.
The Russian leader expressed support for the US President in connection with an alleged assassination attempt during a journalists’ dinner in Washington.
Middle East war
"The main focus of the presidents was the situation around Iran and the Persian Gulf," he added.
Putin's aide said the Russian leader says Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire and to give negotiations a chance is the right move.
Putin also warned of "extremely negative consequences" for the entire world if the US and Israel decide to resume military action against Iran. He described a potential ground operation on Iranian territory as "completely unacceptable."
Ushakov added that Putin put forward a number of proposals to resolve disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program.
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Trump, according to Putin’s aide, stressed the importance of ending hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. The US President assured that contacts with both Moscow and Kyiv would continue.
"Trump believes that a deal to end the conflict is already close," Ushakov said.
Putin claimed that Russian forces "hold the strategic initiative" on the battlefield and are pushing Ukrainian troops back. He also claimed that since the beginning of the year, Russia has handed over more than 20,000 bodies of dead soldiers to Ukraine, while Ukraine returned "just over 500" to Russia.
Putin also warned that the goals of the war "will be achieved in any case."
Ushakov said Trump positively assessed the Easter truce.
"In this regard, Putin informed his American counterpart of his readiness to declare a ceasefire during the Victory Day celebrations. Trump actively supported this initiative, noting that the holiday marks our shared victory over Nazism in World War II," he added.
According to the Kremlin aide, representatives of Washington and Moscow are also discussing some economic initiatives.
Will the Trump-Zelenskyy talks take place?
Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn commented on the possibility of talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump in the near future.
"With this administration, everything is very fast and spontaneous. It may not be planned now, and the next minute it could already be on the agenda. For now, based on Russian reports, it seems they spoke more about Iran and the region," he said.
Trump’s alarming remark about Putin’s plans
Recently, US President Donald Trump met with UK King Charles III.
According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, in the first minutes of the meeting, the US leader told the British monarch that Putin wants war.
Trump reportedly also said the Russian leader plans to "wipe out the population," though it was not specified which population he was referring to.
