President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he held a 75-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on rising tensions in Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear program. During the call, Putin reportedly expressed a strong intent to retaliate against Ukraine following Sunday’s potentially devastating drone strike on Russian airfields that house nuclear-capable bombers. Despite Putin’s insistence that Russia will retaliate, Trump described the conversation as “good,” but said it would not immediately lead to peace.
As The Hill reports:
Trump posted on Truth Social that the call lasted roughly one hour and 15 minutes. The two leaders discussed the Ukrainian drone attack “and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides,” Trump said.
“It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump posted.
The two leaders also discussed ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, according to Trump.
“President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion,” Trump posted. “It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!”
Despite previous announcements that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire,” more recent developments underscore that a lasting peace remains elusive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Russia’s ceasefire conditions as ultimatums and called for direct talks with Putin, requesting U.S. mediation. However, Putin rejected the idea, accusing Ukraine of using talks to regroup militarily.
The situation highlights the profound complexity of Europe’s largest conflict since World War II and the immense obstacles facing any diplomatic resolution.
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Of course Iran is and has been slow walking talks on a nuclear deal. It is a part of their culture, say what what your adversaries want to hear and do what you want to do. Iran has slow walked the U.S. since 1979. They are the poster child for appeasement does not work. We are the poster child for money always buys you what you want, not!