Trump, Putin Discuss Iran and Ukraine in Recent Call
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation on Monday, discussing the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, according to a statement from the Kremlin. This marked the first direct communication between the two leaders since the escalation of the war in Iran.
Details of the Conversation
The Kremlin described the hour-long call as “frank and businesslike.” Putin reportedly presented Trump with “several proposals” aimed at resolving the conflict in Iran. Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on state TV that France, China, and Russia have also initiated discussions regarding potential ceasefire conditions.
Concerns Over Iran and Russia’s Role
U.S. Officials have expressed concern over Russia’s potential support for Iran’s war efforts. While Trump downplayed this scenario, White House envoy Steve Witkoff communicated to Russian officials on Saturday that any intelligence sharing with Iran would be viewed negatively.
Discussion on Oil Markets
The two presidents also discussed the recent surge in oil prices. Last week, the U.S. Temporarily authorized India to purchase Russian oil in an effort to mitigate potential production shortages.
Ukraine Conflict
The leaders also touched upon the war in Ukraine. President Trump has previously stated that the “hatred” between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a significant obstacle to reaching a peace agreement. Zelenskyy has accused Russia of attempting to use Trump to stall peace negotiations.
The White House has not yet issued a comment on the call.