MOSCOW (Realist English). Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, focusing on the escalating crisis between Israel and Iran. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the exchange was “substantive, candid, and highly useful.”
President Putin condemned Israel’s military actions and voiced deep concern over the risk of further escalation. He informed Trump of his recent conversations with both Iranian President and Israeli Prime Minister, offering Russia’s services as a mediator in efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Putin reminded his counterpart that Russia had previously proposed concrete steps to support U.S.–Iran nuclear diplomacy, but said that “Israel struck Iranian territory just ahead of the scheduled June 15 round of talks,” undermining the process.
President Trump, while acknowledging the effectiveness of the Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, stated that the U.S. is still open to a diplomatic track. He said Washington remains prepared to resume contact with Tehran, referencing the five prior rounds of indirect negotiations in Oman.
Beyond the Middle East, the two leaders also touched on the Russia–Ukraine dialogue, following the June 2 Istanbul agreements. Putin noted progress on prisoner exchanges, including for the severely wounded and individuals under 25, and said Ukraine had accepted the return of fallen servicemen. Russia, he added, is ready to resume talks after June 22. Trump responded that he “took note” of the developments and reaffirmed his interest in ending the Russian–Ukrainian conflict swiftly.
The call ended on a personal note, as Putin congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday and referenced Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Both leaders emphasized the symbolic legacy of WWII-era military cooperation and expressed satisfaction with their “frank and businesslike” relationship, which they said enables dialogue even on the most difficult issues.
