The US and Russian leaders spoke for nearly 1.5 hours on the 250th anniversary of American independence, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have held a phone call, during which they discussed the Ukraine conflict, the situation around Iran, and the prospects for restoring bilateral ties, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has said.

The conversation took place on Saturday, as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. According to Ushakov, Putin personally congratulated Trump and the American people on the milestone, after sending a formal message to the White House a day earlier.

In his congratulatory telegram, Putin expressed confidence that restoring "constructive, equal, and mutually beneficial" ties would serve the interests of both nations and the wider international community, Ushakov said. He noted that Trump had sent Putin a "warm" message on Russia Day on June 12, paying tribute to the country's "rich history and culture" and the resilience of the Russian people.

The leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict, including in the context of Trump's planned participation in the NATO summit in Türkiye on July 7-8, Ushakov said. According to the aide, Trump again confirmed his readiness to help bring the hostilities to an end and seek a peaceful settlement.

Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will continue mediation efforts and are ready to visit Moscow "at a convenient time," Ushakov added.

Putin reiterated Moscow's preference for a political and diplomatic settlement, provided that Russia's core positions are taken into account.

The Russian president also briefed Trump on the battlefield situation, where he said Russian forces were advancing and "liberating one settlement after another."

Trump, for his part, noted the "enormous prospects" for cooperation between Russia and the US that could open up once the Ukraine conflict is resolved, according to the Kremlin aide.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

(RT.com)