MOSCOW (MNN); U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a one-hour telephone conversation on Tuesday, during which they discussed efforts to end the Ukraine war, recent visits by U.S. representatives to Moscow and Kyiv, and the prospects of restoring relations between Washington and Moscow.
According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Trump strongly emphasised the need to bring the Ukraine conflict to an end as soon as possible, saying a peaceful settlement could open the way for the full restoration of U.S.-Russia relations.
Ushakov said the conversation lasted exactly one hour and was conducted in a constructive, candid, businesslike and mutually respectful atmosphere.
The two leaders exchanged views on the September 5-6 visits of U.S. special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv. Both Putin and Trump gave a positive assessment to the outcome of those diplomatic contacts, Ushakov said.
Witkoff and Kushner met President Putin at the Kremlin on September 5, where discussions reportedly lasted more than three hours. Ushakov had earlier said that the American representatives arrived well prepared and presented several proposals and considerations regarding possible ways to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Following their Moscow visit, the U.S. representatives travelled to Kyiv on September 6 and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Witkoff later described the meeting as meaningful and important.
Ushakov said Putin informed Trump about his assessment of the situation on the battlefield and also explained what he believed the United States could do to help bring the conflict to an end.
The Russian president also assured Trump that Moscow had no hostile intentions towards Europe, according to the Kremlin aide.
“Donald Trump clearly emphasised the desirability of bringing the conflict to an end as soon as possible,” Ushakov said, adding that a settlement could immediately create “impressive and far-reaching” opportunities for the complete restoration of relations between the United States and Russia.
He said Trump believed that improved relations would have a significant impact on trade and economic cooperation, offering major benefits to both countries.
According to Ushakov, Trump is keen to achieve a breakthrough during his presidency, while Putin supported efforts aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict.
The two leaders also agreed on the need to continue prisoner exchanges, Ushakov said.
However, he declined to disclose further details, describing the telephone conversation as confidential.
Ushakov said contacts between Moscow and Washington would continue through various diplomatic channels, while Putin and Trump agreed to remain in touch and speak again by telephone whenever necessary.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on September 7 that Moscow does not rule out the possibility of resuming trilateral negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, though he said it was still premature to discuss specific details.
The latest Putin-Trump conversation comes amid renewed diplomatic activity aimed at finding a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine conflict and improving strained relations between Washington and Moscow.
