ALBAWABA— Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a two-hour phone conversation described by both sides as "constructive" and "useful," with the focus on reviving peace efforts in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to Russian state media, Putin welcomed the resumption of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul, saying the process indicates that both parties are "generally on the right track."
He reiterated Russia’s willingness to support a cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the need for "the most effective paths to peace" and a resolution that addresses the root causes of the war.
“We are ready to work on a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine, including the potential for a ceasefire,” Putin said after the call.
He acknowledged the need for mutual concessions and thanked Trump for endorsing the resumption of direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv.
Trump, for his part, reportedly recognized Russia’s declared support for a peaceful resolution and had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly before his call with Putin, according to Axios, citing a source familiar with the matter.
The high-level call comes just days after Russian and Ukrainian delegations concluded brief talks in Istanbul on May 16, which ended without a breakthrough.
Moscow demanded that Ukraine fully withdraw from four partially occupied regions, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, a condition Kyiv firmly rejected.
A Ukrainian presidential office source told the Kyiv Independent that Russia’s demands remain unchanged, despite lacking full control over any of the four territories it claims to have annexed.
While Putin signaled openness to further dialogue and a ceasefire arrangement, the political gap between the two sides remains wide.
