'Russia Ready To Work...': Putin Hails Trump For Ukraine Talks Resumption

Russian President Vladimir Putin described his phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Monday as "substantive" and "candid," raising hopes for renewed efforts toward a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking to media shortly after the two-hour-long phone call, Putin called the exchange "very productive" and welcomed what he described as Washington’s constructive role in reviving direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv.

Putin Hails US Role In Restarting Peace Talks With Ukraine

Putin opened his statement by thanking the US President for his country’s role in helping to re-establish contact between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators, saying: "I expressed my gratitude to the President of the United States for the support provided by the United States in facilitating the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine aimed at potentially reaching a peace agreement."

He noted that past negotiations, which he said were halted by the Ukrainian side in 2022, could now see new momentum due to resumed contacts among parties involved in the Istanbul talks.

Both leaders, according to Putin, discussed the prospects of halting hostilities and exploring a potential ceasefire. The Russian president confirmed his government’s readiness to begin drafting a memorandum with Ukraine that would lay the groundwork for a peace agreement. The proposed framework would outline key elements including principles for settlement, a timeline for implementation, and terms for a possible temporary ceasefire, he said.

"We agreed with the President of the United States that Russia would propose and is ready to engage with the Ukrainian side on drafting a memorandum regarding a potential future peace agreement," Putin said.

Focus On Elimination Of Root Causes

While highlighting the recent diplomatic developments, Putin emphasised that the primary responsibility now lies with both Russia and Ukraine to demonstrate a sincere commitment to peace.

“The key issue, of course, is now for the Russian side and the Ukrainian side to show their firm commitment to peace and to forge a compromise that would be acceptable to all parties.”

Putin reaffirmed that Russia's position remains focused on addressing the underlying causes of the conflict, saying, “Eliminating the root causes of this crisis is what matters most to us."

Putin concluded his remarks by inviting journalists and observers to seek additional information from his press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, or presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who are expected to provide further insights into the discussion with Trump.

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