 "US President Donald Trump with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Reuters File")
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he had a “good conversation” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but warned that a ceasefire in Ukraine remains out of reach as Putin has vowed to respond to Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russian strategic bombers.
Taking to Truth Social network, Trump said, “I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
The call came three days after Ukraine conducted a massive, daring drone attack against Russian military airbases, saying it had destroyed several Russian nuclear-capable bombers worth billions of dollars.
Trump did not say whether he had cautioned Putin against retaliating, even as the U.S. continues to provide substantial military and financial support to Ukraine.
The call between Trump and Putin did however show that Washington and Moscow may be eying cooperation on Iran.
Trump said Putin agreed with him that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“We also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly! I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement,” added Trump.
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View AllTrump said that Putin expressed willingness to engage in discussions with Iran to help accelerate a resolution.
“President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” Trump added.
With inputs from agencies