Trump and Putin discuss Iran, Ukraine in 90-minute call

Trump and Putin Hold 90-Minute Phone Call Covering Iran, Ukraine, and White House Shooting

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on Wednesday in a wide-ranging conversation that touched on the war in Iran, peace efforts in Ukraine, and the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, according to the Kremlin.

The call, which lasted roughly 90 minutes, was confirmed by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who told reporters that Putin proposed ideas for resolving the Iran conflict and expressed readiness to declare a truce in Ukraine for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9. It was the first known direct conversation between the two leaders since a similar call in March.kyivindependent

Iran Takes Center Stage

The discussion came at a fraught moment in the Iran conflict, which has been suspended since April 8 under a ceasefire agreement. Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities — while setting aside its nuclear program — was met with dissatisfaction by Trump, according to The New York Times. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump warned Tehran to “get smart soon” as stalled talks pushed energy prices higher.cnn

Putin offered what Ushakov described as proposals for “a swift political and diplomatic settlement,” drawing on Russia’s ties with both Gulf states and Tehran. Russia has characterized U.S. military operations against Iran as “unprovoked aggression,” though its January 2025 partnership agreement with Tehran stopped short of a mutual defense pact.timesofisrael

Victory Day Truce Proposed for Ukraine

On the Ukraine front, Putin signaled willingness to observe a temporary ceasefire around the May 9 Victory Day holiday, which marks the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over Nazi Germany. The proposal echoes a pattern of short-lived pauses in the conflict; in early February, Russia honored a one-week energy infrastructure truce requested by Trump before resuming strikes.instagram

Ushakov said the conversation focused on “the Russia-Ukraine war and peace negotiations,” with Putin providing an assessment of the front lines where Russian forces claim to be advancing. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in ending the war through a ceasefire leading to a broader settlement.kyivindependent

Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Also Discussed

The leaders also addressed the April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where a gunman identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, charged past security at the Washington Hilton before being subdued by Secret Service agents. Putin condemned the attempted assassination, according to Ushakov. Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president.investing

The White House had not publicly commented on the substance of the call as of Wednesday afternoon.