Kremlin reveals timing for Putin-Trump call

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a phone call with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, at 5pm Moscow time (2pm GMT) on Monday, RT reported citing the Kremlin.

The upcoming conversation was initially announced by Trump on Saturday. He said the discussion would focus on “stopping the ‘bloodbath’” between Russia and Ukraine, along with trade issues, RT reported. 

He also noted plans to speak with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and NATO leaders afterward, expressing hope that a “productive day” would lead to a ceasefire.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has reaffirmed Moscow’s willingness to engage with the US in its mediating role. “We highly value the United States’ mediating efforts – if they truly help us achieve our objectives by peaceful means,” he told reporters, according to RT, stressing that Moscow sees the diplomatic path as “preferable.”

Asked about the prospect of a future summit between Putin and Trump, Peskov said the potential meeting and its timing “depend on what they themselves decide," according to RT. 

He stressed that any such talks must be “well-prepared” in order to be “result-oriented.”

Peskov described talks with Trump as “important” in light of the recent Turkish-mediated meeting between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul – their first direct peace talks since 2022.