Phone Conversation Between U.S. and Russian Presidents
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone for 55 minutes, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who described the exchange as friendly and candid. The discussion covered key international issues, including a potential peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin also congratulated Trump on his 80th birthday during the call.
A central topic was the need to end the conflict in Ukraine. Trump expressed his willingness to influence Kyiv and U.S. allies in Europe to facilitate a peaceful resolution. Putin, in turn, argued that Ukrainian military strikes on civilian targets inside Russia are hindering peace efforts, though he insisted these attacks would not alter the situation on the battlefield.
Next Steps and Negotiations
Putin reiterated his earlier proposal, stating:
“If Zelensky wants a meeting, let him come to Moscow.”The two leaders agreed that U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow in the near future. Trump indicated that the outcomes of the call could be made public later today.
Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Donald Trump by phone on June 14. Zelensky has not ruled out the possibility that a peace agreement with Russia may need to be negotiated without Vladimir Putin.
This conversation between Trump and Putin underscores the ongoing international efforts to find a path toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine. In light of recent diplomatic engagements between the U.S. and Ukraine, as well as between the U.S. and Russia, such high-level communication may signal shifts in American foreign policy, particularly regarding its approach to the conflict. The international community will be watching closely for any concrete steps that follow this initiative.