Trump and Putin Discuss Ukraine Drone Strikes and Iran During 75-Minute Call

Donald Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin for 75 minutes, discussing Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russia and nuclear talks with Iran. While Putin affirmed he would retaliate against Ukraine, he also indicated he could assist in negotiating with Iran. Trump remains mindful of the need for urgent discussions on nuclear issues.

Former President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he had a lengthy, 75-minute conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed significant topics including Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on Russian military aircraft and ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran. Trump noted on social media that the discussion was productive in some ways, although he did not expect it to yield immediate peace between the nations involved.

Trump specifically highlighted that Putin expressed his intention to retaliate against Ukraine’s drone strikes from the previous Sunday. “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump stated. This response marks a notable shift from Trump’s prior criticisms of Putin, particularly regarding Russia’s aggressive military actions in Ukraine.

The timing of the call is crucial as it follows a series of peace talks held in Istanbul, which resulted in minimal progress towards ending the ongoing conflict that has plagued Ukraine for over three years. As someone who has previously sought to facilitate peace, Trump remains hopeful that dialogue could lead to a breakthrough.

Moreover, Trump updated Putin on the status of nuclear negotiations with Iran, stressing that there was urgency in reaching an agreement. He asserted during the call that Iran must not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. According to Trump, Putin appeared to be in agreement with this sentiment.

In a significant development, Trump stated that Putin expressed a willingness to engage further in diplomatic discussions regarding Iran. “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,” he remarked. This offers a potential avenue for future collaboration despite the tensions between their respective countries.

In summary, Donald Trump’s recent call with Vladimir Putin shed light on pivotal issues concerning Ukraine and Iran. While the conversation reaffirmed Putin’s willingness to respond militarily to Ukrainian drone strikes, it also opened the door for possible Russian involvement in negotiations with Iran regarding nuclear capabilities. Although immediate peace seems unlikely, the engagement signals an ongoing dialogue that could influence the geopolitical landscape.

Original Source: www.npr.org