US President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social on Thursday (October 16) that he had a “very productive” phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump emphasized the focus of the discussion on a range of diplomatic and economic issues.
“I just finished a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and he was very productive,” Trump wrote.
Peace in the Middle East as leverage
Trump noted that Putin congratulated him and the United States on the recent peace success in the Middle East. He suggested that this success could help in negotiations to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.
“President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the great achievement of peace in the Middle East, something he said he dreamed of for centuries. In fact, I believe success in the Middle East will help in our negotiations to end the war with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump said.
Recognition of the role of Melanie
Trump also mentioned Putin’s appreciation of First Lady Melania Trump’s efforts to reunite eight Ukrainian children with their families, saying it would continue.
“President Putin thanked First Lady Melania for her involvement in childcare. He greatly appreciated it and said it would continue,” Trump wrote.
Business and future meetings
The call reportedly included discussions about trade between the US and Russia once the conflict in Ukraine ends. Trump confirmed plans for a meeting of high-level advisers next week, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the US side.
“At the end of the call, we agreed that there will be a meeting of our high-level advisers next week. The initial meetings will be led by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with various other people to be named. The meeting location will be determined,” Trump said.
The planned Trump-Putin summit
Trump has indicated that he and Putin will meet in Budapest, Hungary in an effort to end the “inglorious” war.
“President Putin and I will then meet at an agreed upon location in Budapest, Hungary to see if we can end this ‘infamous’ war between Russia and Ukraine,” he wrote.
Discussion with Zelensky
Trump confirmed that he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office the following day to discuss the call and other matters.
“President Zelensky and I will meet in the Oval Office tomorrow to discuss my conversation with President Putin and much more. I believe that a lot of progress was made with today’s phone conversation,” Trump said.
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Putin warns that delivering a tomahawk to Trump to Ukraine would harm the peace process
Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump during a nearly 2.5-hour phone call that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles would damage the peace process and harm US-Russian relations, Kremlin adviser Yuriy Ushakov said.
The call, which was initiated by Russia, also touched on plans for a new summit, which will be preceded by a telephone conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ushakov said Trump called the war in Ukraine “the most difficult of all to resolve” and promised to consider Putin’s views ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.
Putin reportedly told Trump that Ukraine was continuing to attack Russian energy infrastructure, while Trump said an end to the conflict could open up “amazing opportunities for economic cooperation.” Trump suggested Budapest as the place for the next meeting, which Putin “immediately agreed to,” Ushakov added.
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