In a significant phone conversation on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump discussed growing tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to a post by Trump on his Truth Social platform, much of the discussion centered on the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. Trump noted that Israel's recent strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and Iran’s retaliatory attacks dominated the hour-long call. He also urged Putin to end the war in Ukraine, drawing a parallel between the need for peace in both regions.
"I told him this Israel-Iran war must stop — just as his war in Ukraine should," Trump stated.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov provided further details, stating that Putin expressed deep concern about the escalating violence in the Middle East. The Russian president reportedly condemned the military actions against Iran and warned of the potential for broader instability in the region.
Putin also reiterated Moscow's willingness to act as a mediator in the Middle East crisis. He referenced past Russian efforts to support diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Russia and Iran have strengthened their strategic partnership, with Iran reportedly supplying drones, ballistic missiles, and other military equipment to Moscow — as confirmed by U.S. intelligence.
Despite expressing alarm over the situation, Trump acknowledged what he described as the "effectiveness" of Israel’s operations in Iran, according to Ushakov. Both leaders indicated that they remained open to future diplomatic talks concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
Plans for another round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations were disrupted following recent events. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been scheduled to meet Iranian officials in Oman on Sunday for what would have been a sixth round of discussions. However, Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi, announced on Saturday that the meeting would no longer take place as scheduled.
During the call, Trump and Putin also touched on the issue of prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. Both nations carried out another swap on Saturday, which included young detainees and seriously wounded prisoners. This exchange followed recent talks held in Istanbul.
Ushakov stated that Russia is open to continuing negotiations on humanitarian issues, including further prisoner exchanges.
In a personal moment during the conversation, Putin also wished Trump a happy 79th birthday.