Putin and Trump Hold Extended Phone Call on Ukraine, Iran, and Future Relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump engaged in a significant phone conversation, lasting one hour and twenty-five minutes, initiated by the United States. The discussion covered critical international issues, including the situation surrounding Ukraine and Iran, as well as the future trajectory of relations between Moscow and Washington.

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...The conversation, this is the fourth in the current year, was, naturally, not only protocolary but business-like and very constructive. This conversation allowed for an frank discussion of current issues on the bilateral and international agenda. By the way, this conversation lasted almost an hour and a half, to be precise, one hour and twenty-five minutes.

According to Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian President, the call was both protocolary and substantive, characterized by its constructive nature. The leaders confirmed their mutual readiness to continue dialogue and plan another call in the near future. Ushakov noted that Putin had sent a congratulatory telegram to Trump on the occasion of the US Independence Day, expressing confidence that constructive ties would benefit both nations and the global community.

Key among the topics was the conflict in Ukraine, particularly in light of Trump's upcoming participation in the NATO summit in Turkey. Trump reportedly reaffirmed his willingness to help expedite a cessation of hostilities and the pursuit of peaceful solutions. Ushakov mentioned that Trump's special representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would continue their mediation efforts and were prepared to visit Moscow at a convenient time.

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The presidents naturally touched upon the issue of the Ukrainian settlement, including in light of Donald Trump's upcoming participation in the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7-8. The American president once again confirmed his readiness to facilitate the earliest possible cessation of hostilities and the search for peaceful solutions to overcome the crisis. His special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will continue their mediation efforts and will be ready to come to Moscow at a convenient time.

From the Russian perspective, Ushakov reiterated the preference for a political-diplomatic resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the need to consider Russia's fundamental principles. He criticized Kyiv and its European supporters for allegedly betting on prolonging the conflict and resorting to terrorism against civilians, attributing this to a "false perception" of the situation by the "European war party." Ushakov asserted that Russian forces are advancing confidently on the battlefield, liberating settlements sequentially. The leaders also underscored the importance of continuing bilateral contacts, particularly in military-political and economic spheres, with Trump reportedly highlighting the need to conclude the Ukrainian conflict swiftly.

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However, Kyiv and its European sponsors are betting on prolonging and even escalating the conflict, on terrorism against the civilian population, while the European 'war party' proceeds from a false perception of the general situation and the state of affairs on the line of contact. The President outlined the picture of the real situation on the battlefield, where the Russian Armed Forces are confidently advancing, liberating one settlement after another.