Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, with the Kremlin’s press secretary, Dmitri Peskow, stating that the call lasted nearly an hour and a half. This was a very long conversation, Peskow added.
The two leaders discussed the resolution of the Middle East conflict and bilateral relations between Russia and the US, according to Peskow. The conflict in Ukraine was also a significant topic of discussion.
Trump has repeatedly announced his intention to speak with Putin in recent weeks and has emphasized his desire to end the Ukraine war.
Putin emphasized the need to eliminate the causes of the Ukraine conflict and agreed with Trump that a long-term solution can be achieved through negotiations. Trump expressed his support for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
After the call, Trump announced that he had agreed to work closely with Putin and visit the other side’s countries, with their respective teams set to begin negotiations immediately.
Trump also called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of the conversation’s content, describing the discussion with Putin as “productive”.
Putin supported Trump’s view that it is time to work together, with the two leaders agreeing to organize a personal meeting and Putin inviting Trump to Moscow. The Russian president also expressed his willingness to receive US officials in Russia to discuss the Ukraine issue.
According to Trump, the US side will be led in negotiations with Russia by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff.
The Middle East and Iran’s nuclear program were also discussed during the conversation between Putin and Trump. The two presidents touched on the bilateral economic relations between Russia and the US, as well as the exchange of detained US and Russian citizens, with Trump expressing gratitude to Putin for the release of US citizen Mark Vogel.