Putin Tells Trump He Wants Swift End to Ukraine War, US-Russia Ties Restored
Key Details of Putin-Trump Phone Call on Ukraine Conflict
Summary of the Conversation
MOSCOW, Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a phone call that he wanted a swift end to the war in Ukraine, something that would allow U.S.-Russia ties to be fully restored, the Kremlin said.
Discussion of Peace Negotiations
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that the pair had discussed the outcome of U.S. peace negotiators' weekend visit to Moscow and Kyiv - something he said both leaders had rated "with a plus sign" - and said that Putin had told Trump what he believed the United States could do to help end the conflict.
Putin's Assessment of the Situation
Putin had also given Trump his assessment of what the situation on the battlefield was and had made it clear that Russia had no hostile plans towards Europe, Ushakov said.
Trump's Emphasis on Restoring Relations
"Donald Trump clearly emphasised the desirability of bringing the conflict to an end as soon as possible, which would immediately open up prospects – impressive and far-reaching ones at that – for the full restoration of relations between the U.S. and Russia," said Ushakov.
Potential Impact on Trade and Economic Ties
"In his view, this would have a particular impact on trade and economic ties, promising enormous benefits for both countries. Donald Trump is keen to see a breakthrough achieved during his presidency. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin supported this approach".
Other Topics Discussed
Ushakov - who said Putin and Trump had also agreed on the need to continue prisoner exchanges - said he was not able to get into more details about what had been discussed, but described the conversation as constructive and said the two leaders had agreed they would stay in touch and speak to each other by phone again if the needed arose.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Alessandra Prentice Editing by Andrew Osborn )
