Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on March 9 to discuss the war around Iran and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.
Putin outlined several ideas for a quick resolution to the war in Iran through political and diplomatic channels, citing his recent contact with Gulf state leaders and the president of Iran, according to Ushakov.
Ushakov said Trump offered his assessment of the situation “in the context of the ongoing U.S.-Israel operation” on Iran, adding that the two leaders had “a detailed exchange” of views on the matter.
On the situation in Ukraine, Putin told Trump that Russian forces were advancing “quite successfully” in Ukraine and suggested this should “encourage Kyiv to finally take the path of resolving the conflict through negotiations,” Ushakov said.
Trump, in response, voiced his interest in ending the Russia-Ukraine war with a cease-fire and a “long-term settlement,” according to the Russian diplomat.
Ushakov said the two leaders also touched on the situation in Venezuela, particularly in the context of global oil markets, and signaled readiness to maintain regular communications.
“We were talking about Ukraine, which is just a never-ending fight,” Trump said. “There’s tremendous hatred between President Putin and [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy]. They can’t seem to get it together, but I think it was a positive call on that subject.
“We obviously talked about the Middle East, and he just wants to be helpful. I said, ‘You could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine-Russia war over with. That will be more helpful,’” Trump said.
Zelenskyy said a meeting planned for this week had been postponed at the request of the U.S. side because its partners are currently focused on the Iran conflict.
Iran responded with a series of retaliatory attacks against targets within countries in the Middle East. Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon also launched attacks against Israel.
“I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply,” he told reporters. “If Iran does anything to [block the strait], they’ll get hit at a much, much harder level.”
