Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned his US counterpart of the “harmful consequences” of new military action in Iran, a Kremlin adviser told reporters on Wednesday after the two leaders spoke by phone.
Putin “underscored the inevitable and extremely devastating consequences not only for Iran and its neighbors but also for the entire international community if the US and Israel resort to military action again,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
I want to end your war before you help me: Trump
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump signaled a possible ceasefire in Ukraine after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hinted that Moscow may be ready to end the fighting, saying: “I want to end your war before you help me.”
Trump said Putin had “suggested a bit of a truce” and hinted that an official announcement from Moscow could be imminent. Trump expressed his belief that Putin “was ready to make a deal a while ago” but claimed that outside influences had previously made it “difficult” for the Russian president to come to the table.
“I talked to Vladimir Putin today … I talked about Ukraine and I talked a little bit about, uh, Iran. I talked about a few different topics, mostly Ukraine, and we had a very good conversation. And I think we’ll come up with a solution fairly quickly, I hope … I think he’d like to see a solution, I can tell you that, and that’s good,” Trump said.
The conversation also touched on the Middle East, specifically Iran’s nuclear capabilities. In a surprising diplomatic turn, Putin reportedly offered US help with Iran’s enrichment. When Putin reportedly offered to help with other global tensions, Trump remained firm: “Before you help me, I want to end your war.”
“We talked more about the war in Ukraine, but he would like to help (in ending the Gulf War). I said before you help me, I want to end your war… I think he was ready to make a deal a while ago. I think some people made it difficult for him to make a deal…,” Trump said.
Trump highlighted the discussions surrounding Iran, adding: “He told me he would like to participate in (nuclear) enrichment (in Iran) if he can help us get it. I said I would much rather you participate in ending the war in Ukraine. To me, that would be more important because we have to have it.”
(With inputs from AP and ANI)
