Trump highlights shared vision with Putin on ending Iran-Israel war

US President Donald Trump has emphasised a shared perspective with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Israel-Iran war must come to an end.

Trump and Putin held a 50-minute phone conversation on June 14, focusing on the rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

President Trump said the call was initiated by Putin “to wish me a Happy Birthday, but to more importantly, talk about Iran, a country he knows very well.”

Trump noted that the two leaders spoke "at length," with the conversation lasting "approximately 1 hour." He added, "Much less time was spent talking about Russia/Ukraine, but that will be for next week." Trump also remarked, "He feels, as I do, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end."

Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that the call focused heavily on the Middle East. “The dangerous escalation of the situation in the Middle East was naturally at the center of the exchange of opinions,” Ushakov said.

He added, “Vladimir Putin, having condemned the military operation against Iran, expressed serious concern about the possible escalation of the conflict,” warning of “unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East.” Putin also updated Trump on his recent talks with leaders from both Iran and Israel, reaffirming Russia’s readiness to mediate and help restart US-Iran nuclear negotiations.

“Russia's principled approach and interest in the settlement remain unchanged,” Ushakov said. Ushakov also noted that Trump described the situation as “very alarming,” while acknowledging the “effectiveness” of Israeli military operations against Iranian targets. The leaders also briefly discussed the war in Ukraine. Trump praised Russia’s role in facilitating prisoner swaps, stating, “He is doing the planned prisoner swaps — large numbers of prisoners are being exchanged, immediately, from both sides.” 

Ushakov confirmed, “Our president noted that an exchange of prisoners of war is taking place, including seriously wounded and prisoners of war under 25 years of age,” and expressed Moscow’s willingness to continue negotiations.

By Naila Huseynova