PUTIN AND TRUMP DISCUSS UKRAINE AND THE MIDDLE EAST

MOSCOW, JULY 5 /SRNA/ – Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on current international issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and future cooperation between the two countries, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

He said the conversation, which took place at the initiative of the U.S. president, lasted one hour and 25 minutes and was "businesslike and highly constructive," reports RIA Novosti. Ushakov noted that at the beginning of the call, Putin congratulated Trump and the American people on Independence Day. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed the international agenda, with particular focus on the conflict in Ukraine. "Putin presented his assessment of the situation on the front line and reiterated Russia's position that it supports a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict, taking Russian interests into account," Ushakov said. Trump, he says, reiterated that he was ready to help bring about a swift end to the hostilities and find a peaceful solution, with the involvement of special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The two leaders also discussed prospects for Russian-American cooperation after the end of the conflict in Ukraine, with Trump pointing to the considerable potential for developing relations between the two countries. The interlocutors stressed the importance of preserving their shared historical legacy, particularly highlighting the alliance between Moscow and Washington during the Second World War. The Middle East was also discussed, with Putin expressing hope that negotiations between the United States and Iran would lead to mutually acceptable and long-term solutions. He also reaffirmed Russia's readiness to provide practical assistance in stabilizing the situation in the region. The presidents of Russia and the United States agreed to speak again soon, while Putin renewed his invitation for Trump to visit Russia. According to the Kremlin, this was the fourth conversation between Putin and Trump since the beginning of the year and the 14th since Trump's return to the White House in 2025.