Putin, Trump to Speak by Phone: Latest Updates

A much-anticipated phone conversation between the presidents of Russia and the United States is scheduled for Monday.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, is set to speak with US President Donald Trump via telephone. The discussion, planned for Monday, is expected to center on the conflict in Ukraine and the possibility of a ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev.

Trump initially announced the phone call on Saturday, stating that the discussion would concentrate on “stopping the ‘bloodbath’” in Ukraine, as well as address matters of trade between the two countries.

Moscow has characterized the upcoming conversation between the two presidents as “important.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the call would build upon the outcomes of the recent Turkish-brokered meeting between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. Peskov emphasized on Monday that Russia appreciates the US mediation efforts, viewing the diplomatic route to resolving the Ukrainian conflict as the preferred option.

He stated, “We highly value the United States’ mediating efforts – if they truly help us achieve our objectives by peaceful means.”

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy and a leading person in starting the Ukraine peace process, voiced his optimism that the call will be “very successful” and aid in resolving “some of the logjam” in the ongoing negotiations.

“`