The Kremlin confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with US President Donald Trump in a phone call lasting nearly an hour on Thursday.

During the conversation, Putin made it clear that Russia will not give up on its objectives in the Ukraine war. However, he also agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

Russia Will Keep Pushing Its Goals

After the call, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Trump had asked about finding a way to end the war quickly. In response, Putin stood firm.
“Our president said that Russia will achieve the aims it set, that is to say the root causes that led to the current state of affairs,” Ushakov said, according to AFP. He added, “Russia will not give up on these aims.”

At the same time, Putin expressed interest in continuing talks. “He also spoke of the readiness of the Russian side to continue the negotiation process,” Ushakov said.

Peace Talks Should Be Between Moscow and Kyiv

During the call, Putin repeated his position that any peace talks on Ukraine must be between Russia and Ukraine, not with outside countries.

According to Reuters, Ushakov said Putin updated Trump on recent agreements between Moscow and Kyiv, especially about the exchange of prisoners of war and fallen soldiers, which both sides arranged last month.

No Mention of US Weapons Delay

Interestingly, Putin and Trump did not talk about the recent pause in U.S. weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Reuters added.

Iran and the Middle East Also Discussed

Besides Ukraine, both leaders had a detailed conversation on Iran and the wider Middle East. They agreed to continue their dialogue in the future.

According to Ushakov, the Russian side emphasized the need to resolve disputes peacefully. “From the Russian side, the importance of settling all disputed issues, disagreements and conflictual situations be solved exclusively by politico-diplomatic means was stressed,” he said.

Russian Reaction to US Airstrikes on Iran

Last month, Trump ordered US bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities. The Kremlin strongly opposed the move, calling it “unprovoked and illegal.”