Kremlin lauds Putin-Trump phone call as ‘substantive, friendly'

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone for an hour and a half in what Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described as a “substantive, friendly” conversation.

Ushakov said in a video published on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel that the leaders discussed the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, the situation around Iran, and economic cooperation. The phone call took place on the evening of October 9, after Putin returned to Moscow from Turkmenistan.

“The rather substantive, I would say friendly, conversation lasted an hour and a half. Neither side wanted to be the first to hang up,” Ushakov said.

Regarding Ukraine, Ushakov said Putin told Trump that Russia would consider when it might be possible to resume trilateral Russia-Ukraine-U.S. negotiations. According to the Russian presidential aide, Putin linked the obstacle to an immediate resumption of negotiations to Ukrainian attacks during Russia’s parliamentary elections.

The leaders of the two countries also discussed preparations for major economic initiatives, including potential supplies of Russian petroleum products to U.S. and global markets.

Regarding Iran, Putin welcomed the ongoing dialogue between Washington and Tehran. According to Ushakov, Trump, in turn, welcomed Moscow’s involvement in resolving the situation around Iran.

Following the call, Trump separately said on social media that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets.