Middle East tension: In call with Trump, Putin condemns Israeli strikes on Iran; Ukrain-Russia war also discussed
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump spoke for 50 minutes on Saturday about the growing tensions in the Middle East and ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov.During the call, Putin informed Trump about his recent talks with the leaders of Iran and Israel. He also repeated Russia’s idea to find “mutually acceptable solutions” regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.“The dangerous escalation of the situation in the Middle East was naturally at the centre of the exchange of opinions,” Ushakov told reporters after the call between the two leaders.“Vladimir Putin, having condemned the military operation against Iran, expressed serious concern about the possible escalation of the conflict,” he said, warning of “unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East.”Trump called the situation in the region “very alarming,” and according to Ushakov, both leaders kept the door open for a possible return to talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.Ushakov also said that Putin updated Trump on the progress made during peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine, including agreements related to the exchange of prisoners of war.
