Moscow, June 15, 2025 – The Europe Today: Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a 50-minute phone conversation on Saturday, focusing primarily on the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. The leaders discussed potential avenues for de-escalation and expressed mutual concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, briefing reporters on the call, stated that President Putin condemned Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran and warned of the grave risks associated with a broader regional escalation.
“President Vladimir Putin condemned Israel’s military operation against Iran and expressed serious concern about a possible escalation of the conflict, which could have unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East,” Ushakov said.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account, confirmed that the conversation primarily revolved around the Middle East. “The call lasted approximately one hour. He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,” Trump wrote, making his first explicit call for an end to the hostilities in the region.
Both leaders acknowledged the need to revisit diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. According to Ushakov, the two agreed not to rule out a return to the negotiating table. The Kremlin aide noted that U.S. negotiators had been prepared to engage in further talks with Iranian representatives, with Oman serving as the mediator. However, the latest round of talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman was cancelled.
“The Russian president recalled that prior to the current rise in tension, our side had proposed concrete steps intended to find mutually acceptable agreements during talks between U.S. and Iranian representatives about the Iranian nuclear programme,” Ushakov added. “Russia’s principled approach and interest in a resolution is unchanged, and as President Putin noted, we will continue to act based on this.”
In addition to Middle East concerns, Trump brought up the ongoing war in Ukraine. He reportedly urged Putin to end the conflict, while Putin expressed Russia’s willingness to resume negotiations with Ukrainian officials after June 22.
On this matter, Ushakov said: “President Putin confirmed that Russia remains open to continued talks with Ukraine following the specified date.”
Despite the sensitive nature of the issues discussed, Ushakov emphasized that both leaders maintained a constructive tone. “The presidents expressed satisfaction with their personal relations, which have allowed them to speak in a business-like manner to seek solutions to complex bilateral and international issues,” he said.
The Kremlin also reported that President Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his 79th birthday during the call.
