Trump, Putin Discuss Ukraine, Middle East in Call

Kremlin Confirms Trilateral Format Vital for Ukraine Peace Talks

In a significant diplomatic development, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. The conversation, lasting approximately an hour, focused on crucial international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Peskov emphasized the necessity of continuing a trilateral format for discussions on a Ukrainian settlement, involving the United States as a mediator. “The main specificity is that the trilateral format must be continued, namely the trilateral one. Everyone is interested in it and the main thing is that the Americans are ready to continue their mediation efforts,” Peskov stated, adding that President Putin commends these efforts and Russia is keen on their continuation.

While both sides expressed interest in an early ceasefire, Peskov noted that no specific dates or geographical locations for future talks have been set. He reiterated that the modalities for a ceasefire are well understood and that President Putin’s position on the matter is consistent. The Kremlin’s stance suggests a readiness for dialogue, contingent on the established trilateral framework, with a clear indication that specific conditions for a ceasefire have not been presented by Moscow.

Trump Offers Mediation, Prioritizes Ukraine Resolution

Following the call, President Trump shared his perspective, describing the conversation with President Putin as “very good.” However, he also conveyed a clear message regarding Putin’s offer to mediate in the Middle East. “I had a very good call with President Putin… We were talking about Ukraine, which is just a neverending fight… And uh when look, there’s tremendous hatred between President Putin and President Zullinski. They can’t seem to get it together. But I think it was a positive call on that subject,” Trump remarked. He added, “And we obviously talked then about the Middle East and uh he wants to be helpful. I said you could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine Russia war over with. That would be more helpful.”

Trump’s comments indicate a strategic prioritization of resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, suggesting that any mediation efforts by Putin would be more impactful if directed toward ending the war in Ukraine. Despite this, Trump acknowledged Putin’s desire to be constructive and characterized the overall discussion as positive and productive.

Russia Reiterates Middle East Mediation Role

Contrasting Trump’s emphasis, Peskov continued to assert Russia’s potential role as a mediator in the Middle East. “Such a conclusion cannot and should not be drawn,” Peskov responded when asked about Trump’s remarks. He reminded that President Putin had offered mediation options even before the escalation of hostilities. “Many of these proposals are still on the table, which in fact the president spoke about yesterday. Russia is ready to assist to the best of its ability and will be happy to do so,” Peskov added, stressing the need for mutual understanding and agreement.

The Kremlin spokesperson also addressed the narrative surrounding the call, noting a tendency to interpret such interactions as Russia seeking favors. Peskov highlighted that the conversation was business-like, frank, and constructive, as is typical in dialogues between the Russian and American leaders. The call also touched upon the situation concerning Iran, with Russia presenting proposals for a political and diplomatic settlement, taking into account recent contacts with Persian Gulf leaders. President Trump provided his assessment of the developing situation, particularly in the context of U.S.-Israeli operations.

Ukraine Conflict and Economic Considerations

During the call, the U.S. president reiterated his interest in an early ceasefire and a long-term settlement in Ukraine. The Russian side, in turn, offered a positive assessment of the mediation efforts by Trump’s team. Peskov also provided an update on the situation on the ground, describing Russian troops’ advancements as a factor that should prompt Kyiv towards a negotiated settlement. The discussion extended to Venezuela, primarily from the perspective of its impact on the global oil market.

The transcript also briefly touched upon the implementation of internet and mobile service shutdowns in Russia, which Peskov attributed to security reasons and compliance with current legislation. He acknowledged that these restrictions can pose challenges for businesses but suggested that solutions could be proposed as experience is analyzed, referencing past instances where resources were whitelisted.

Broader Geopolitical Tensions and Warnings

The article also references a warning from the Pentagon regarding potential powerful strikes against Iran, with the U.S. Secretary of Defense stating that strikes could be imminent and more intense than ever. This echoes a previous statement attributed to President Trump, warning Iran of severe consequences if it disrupts oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz. The threat included the possibility of destroying Iran’s capacity to rebuild as a nation, framed as a message to China and other nations reliant on the strait.

The report concludes by highlighting Putin’s engagement with reports on the rebuilding of Donbas, even as Russian forces continue their operations in Ukrainian territories. The progress in reconstruction efforts, such as the completion of over 800 km of infrastructure projects ahead of schedule, was presented as a sign of systematic work and coordination.

Source: ⚡️Peskov appears with a statement! Moscow in hysteria. Trump's decision hits the Kremlin (YouTube)