Владимир Путин и Дональд Трамп во время первой каденции Трампа. Фото: kremlin.ru
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Vladimir Putin, provided details of the Russian leader’s phone call with Donald Trump on October 9. According to Ushakov, the two discussed Russian diesel fuel supplies, the war in Ukraine and the situation surrounding Iran. The conversation lasted an hour and a half.
Ushakov said the call took place after US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff conveyed Trump’s birthday wishes to Putin on October 7 and proposed arranging a phone call. The sides agreed to speak after the Russian leader returned from the CIS summit in Turkmenistan.
Trump wished Putin a happy birthday over the phone and conveyed greetings from his wife, Melania. Putin thanked his American counterpart for the birthday wishes and for the attention “that the US president and his team are devoting to dialogue with Russia, despite being busy with domestic American and Middle Eastern affairs.”
One of the topics discussed was “preparations for large-scale economic initiatives,” including Russian diesel fuel supplies to the American and global markets. Trump previously said that the US and Russia had agreed on supplies of 4.8 million tonnes of fuel. According to Trump, 300,000 tonnes would be delivered immediately, another 500,000 tonnes in November, and the remaining 3.5 million tonnes later. The US Treasury Department has issued a temporary general licence authorising Russian diesel fuel supplies until April 7, 2027.
“Satisfaction was also expressed with the communication channels operating between the two countries through the presidential administrations, special services and other relevant agencies,” Ushakov said.
The war in Ukraine was also discussed. According to Ushakov, Putin said that Kyiv’s actions allegedly aimed at disrupting Russian elections had made it impossible to resume trilateral talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine immediately. The Russian president said Moscow would decide for itself when the negotiating process could resume.
“It was emphasised that Kyiv’s attempts to halt the advance of Russian troops along the entire line of contact by striking deep inside our territory have no prospect of success. Our Armed Forces have the initiative firmly in their hands and are advancing confidently. At the same time, Vladimir Putin made it clear that our position on the goals and objectives of the special military operation remains unchanged, as does our readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement aimed at achieving a long-term, sustainable peace,” the aide said.
“It was specifically noted that, whereas during the previous conversation between the presidents the possibility of resuming trilateral talks involving the US and Ukraine immediately after the State Duma elections had been discussed, the situation is now different. By attempting to disrupt our elections, launching an exceptionally large-scale drone attack on Moscow, other cities and polling stations on the main voting day, and targeting specific people involved in organising the elections, the Kyiv regime has effectively derailed the possibility of immediately resuming the negotiating process. And now, as the president said, we will consider when these talks can be resumed,” he added.
According to Ushakov, Trump “listened carefully” to Putin’s arguments and promised to convey the relevant messages to the Ukrainian delegation, whose representatives are in Miami for talks with the American side.
Putin also said that diplomatic options for resolving the situation surrounding Iran remained available. He confirmed that Russia’s proposal to remove Iran’s highly enriched uranium to Russia remained on the table. According to Ushakov, Trump welcomed Moscow’s involvement in seeking a solution.
Putin thanked US First Lady Melania Trump for her “active humanitarian work,” including efforts to reunite children with families separated during the Russian-Ukrainian war. The sides also agreed that Russia’s human rights ombudswoman, Yana Lantratova, would establish contact with Melania Trump’s office regarding the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, Kherson Region.
Ushakov described the conversation as substantive and friendly.
“The presidents’ very substantive, I would say friendly, conversation lasted an hour and a half. Neither wanted to be the first to hang up. In view of this, I hope the US president will not take offence if I quote his words that he is ready to continue talking with Vladimir Putin this evening, at night and the following day,” Ushakov said, adding that the two leaders hung up “simultaneously.”
According to Ushakov, the sides did not discuss a specific date for an in-person meeting, but both were interested in attending the upcoming APEC summit in China.
“As you know, this issue was not discussed specifically. But we all know that an important international event is coming up in China — the APEC summit. At least for now, we can say that both leaders, the Russian and the American, are interested in attending. Accordingly, if both leaders are at the same international venue, I assume they will find an opportunity to meet, shake hands and talk,” he said.