Putin, Trump discuss Iran war, Ukraine in phone call
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on March 9, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. During the call, Putin reportedly presented proposals aimed at resolving the war in Iran.
Ushakov said Putin "expressed several thoughts aimed at a quick political and diplomatic end to the Iranian conflict," including contacts with leaders of Gulf states, Iran's president, and other international officials.
The two leaders also discussed Russia's war in Ukraine. Putin said Kyiv should move toward a negotiated settlement, claiming Russian forces were "advancing quite successfully."
Contrary to the Kremlin's claims, Russia has not made significant advances on the battlefield despite suffering heavy losses. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi recently said that Ukrainian forces captured more territory in February than Russian forces did during the same period.
According to Russian state media, Putin and Trump also discussed Venezuela, particularly in relation to the global oil market, as global energy prices have skyrocketed in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran.
The call, initiated by Trump, lasted about an hour, Ushakov said. He described the conversation as "very substantial" and said it could have practical implications for future cooperation between the two countries. Both leaders also expressed a willingness to maintain regular contact.
It remains unclear whether the discussion addressed Russia's support for Iran, including reports that Moscow has provided intelligence assistance to the Iranian military or that Russian technology has been used in Iranian drones.
