Nearly two hours of direct conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The phone call between the two leaders began at 10 am (3 pm Italian time) and focused on possible solutions to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
"The talks went very well," confirmed members of Trump's entourage and Russian sources, while Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy for international economic and investment cooperation, said: "Under the leadership of President Putin and President Trump, the world has become a much safer place today. Historic!"
After the phone call, the White House released a note summarizing the contents, themes and initial agreements reached during the conversation between the two leaders.
"President Trump and President Putin - the statement reads - spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. Both leaders agreed that this conflict must end with lasting peace. They also stressed the need to improve bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and resources that both Ukraine and Russia have spent on this war would be better spent meeting the needs of their citizens."
"This conflict - the note continues - should never have started and should have ended long ago with sincere and genuine peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the path to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire (the agreement would provide for a 30-day halt, ed.), as well as technical negotiations for the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, up to a full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East."
Furthermore, "the leaders spoke more broadly about the Middle East as a region with potential for cooperation to prevent future conflicts. They also discussed the need to halt the proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with other actors to ensure the broadest possible limitation of such proliferation. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel. The two leaders - the statement concludes - agreed that a future with improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia offers enormous opportunities. This includes major economic agreements and greater geopolitical stability once peace is achieved".
In addition, Putin reportedly asked Trump to stop sending weapons and military aid to the Ukrainian army.
(Unioneonline/lf)
