Trump and Putin discuss Israel-Iran tensions: ‘dangerous escalation’
During the 50-minute call, the leaders also spoke about Ukraine talks, while the Russian president congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a 50-minute phone call on Saturday to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East and Ukraine peace talks, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said.
During the conversation, Putin briefed Trump on his recent talks with the leaders of Iran and Israel and reiterated Russia’s proposal to seek mutually acceptable solutions on the Iranian nuclear issue.
“The dangerous escalation of the situation in the Middle East was naturally at the centre of the exchange of opinions,” Ushakov told journalists following the conversation between Putin and Trump.
“Vladimir Putin, having condemned the military operation against Iran, expressed serious concern about the possible escalation of the conflict,” he said, warning of “unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East”.
Putin also emphasised Russia’s readiness to carry out possible mediation efforts and noted that Russia had proposed steps “aimed at finding mutually acceptable agreements” during US-Iran negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme.
“Russia’s principled approach and interest in the settlement remain unchanged,” Ushakov said.