Putin and Trump Discuss Middle East Tensions and Ukraine War in Phone Call

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in an extended phone conversation. The discussions primarily revolved around the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Trump, in a statement, indicated that the majority of their conversation centered on Israel's attacks targeting Iran's nuclear program and Iran's retaliatory actions. He also stated that he urged Putin to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump mentioned that the conversation lasted approximately an hour.

Putin's foreign affairs advisor, Yuri Ushakov, revealed that Putin briefed Trump on his recent discussions with the leaders of Iran and Israel. Putin reiterated Russia's proposal to seek mutually agreeable solutions regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. Putin expressed serious concern about the potential escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran, highlighting the risk of unpredictable consequences for the entire Middle East.

Putin emphasized Russia's willingness to mediate and noted that Russia had previously proposed steps to facilitate agreements during U.S.-Iran negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program. The relationship between Russia and Iran has strengthened since the start of the war in Ukraine, with Iran providing support to Moscow.

Ushakov stated that Trump described the regional situation as "very alarming" but acknowledged the "effectiveness" of Israel's strikes. The leaders did not rule out the possibility of resuming negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program.

Additionally, Putin and Trump discussed the ongoing exchange of war prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. The two sides had recently exchanged prisoners, and Putin expressed readiness to continue negotiations with Ukraine. Trump also mentioned that Putin wished him a happy birthday.