US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call on Thursday, discussing topics including the conflict in Ukraine and the situation involving Iran. The Kremlin described the conversation as “frank and constructive,” marking the sixth publicly disclosed call between the two leaders since Mr. Trump returned to the White House.
Contents
Key takeaways from the call include discussions on potential peace talks for Ukraine, Russia’s stated goals in the conflict, the broader Middle East situation, and other bilateral interests. The call occurred amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and recent developments, such as the US decision to pause some weapons shipments to Ukraine.
Key Discussion Points
Focus on Ukraine
According to Yuri Ushakov, Mr. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, President Trump emphasized his desire for a swift end to the fighting in Ukraine. President Putin, in turn, expressed Russia’s willingness to continue talks with Kyiv, noting that previous rounds hosted in Turkey had yielded humanitarian outcomes.
However, Mr. Ushakov also stated that the Russian leader maintained Moscow would pursue its objectives in Ukraine and address the “root causes” of the conflict. He told reporters that Russia “will not back down from these goals.”
Mr. Putin has consistently stated that the military operation in Ukraine, launched in February 2022, was initiated to counter what he perceives as a threat posed by Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership and to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine. These justifications are rejected by Kyiv and its allies. Mr. Putin has also insisted that any potential peace agreement must include Ukraine abandoning its NATO aspirations and recognizing Russia’s territorial claims.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable in Florida
Context of the Call and Weapons Shipments
The timing of the Trump-Putin call followed the Pentagon’s confirmation that it is temporarily pausing the shipment of certain weapons already pledged to Ukraine, pending a review of US military stockpiles. These delayed shipments reportedly include air defense missiles, precision-guided artillery, and other equipment, according to anonymous US officials familiar with the matter.
Despite the pause, Mr. Ushakov stated that the suspension of some US weapons shipments to Ukraine was not discussed during the Trump-Putin phone call.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in Denmark after meeting with European Union supporters, indicated that he might discuss the weapons delivery suspension with Mr. Trump in the coming days. “I hope that maybe tomorrow, or close days, these days, I will speak about it with President Trump,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.
When asked about his expectations for the Trump-Putin call, Mr. Zelenskyy commented, “I’m not sure that they have a lot of common ideas, common topics to talk (about), because they are very different people.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks in Moscow
Situation in Iran and the Middle East
The previous publicly known call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin occurred on June 14, the day after Israel conducted strikes against Iran.
During the recent call, while discussing the situation around Iran and the wider Middle East, President Putin emphasized that all differences should be resolved “exclusively by political and diplomatic means,” according to Mr. Ushakov. The leaders agreed that Russian and US officials would maintain contacts on the issue.
The United States conducted strikes on three nuclear-related sites in Iran on June 22, actions taken within the context of Israel’s stated goal to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear program.
Ukrainian air defense soldiers near Kharkiv
Other Topics Discussed
Mr. Ushakov also reported that the leaders discussed developments in Syria and expressed interest in pursuing bilateral projects in the energy sector and space exploration. He characterized the conversation as “frank, businesslike and concrete.”
Additionally, Mr. Ushakov mentioned that President Putin suggested that the US and Russia could exchange films promoting “traditional values shared by us and the Trump administration.”
The resumed direct contacts between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin appear to reflect an interest from both leaders in improving relations, which have significantly deteriorated amid the conflict in Ukraine, reaching their lowest point since the Cold War era.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, President Putin also held his first direct telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron in nearly three years, indicating broader diplomatic engagements.
Conclusion
The phone call between former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin covered a range of critical international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the diplomatic context of peace talks, and the complex situation in the Middle East involving Iran. While described as constructive, the call highlighted the differing perspectives on key conflicts, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia’s objectives. It also took place against the backdrop of significant military aid discussions and recent regional escalations. The commitment to continued official contacts suggests an effort by both sides to maintain channels of communication despite the challenging geopolitical landscape.
For more on the US pause in weapons shipments to Ukraine, read this related article. Explore our coverage of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East for further context.
