On 29/4, Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin foreign policy adviser, announced that the phone call between President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart Donald Trump was initiated by Russia. The two leaders engaged in a frank and substantive exchange for over 90 minutes, addressing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

"President Putin believes that the US leadership's extension of the ceasefire with Iran is the right decision, as it will create opportunities for negotiations and contribute to stabilizing the situation," Ushakov stated. "He emphasized the inevitable and dire consequences, not only for Iran and its neighbors but also for the entire world, if the US and Israel resort to military action again."

US President Donald Trump (left) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. *Photo: AFP*

According to the Kremlin official, Russia is committed to fully supporting all diplomatic efforts concerning the Middle East conflict. During the call, President Putin also described the situation along the front lines in Ukraine to President Trump. Ushakov revealed that the two leaders shared a similar assessment of Volodymyr Zelensky's administration, believing that Kyiv "is pursuing a policy of prolonging the conflict."

President Trump announced on the same day that he had a "very good conversation" with the Russian leader, adding that the discussion focused more on the Ukraine conflict than on Iran. The White House chief stated that President Putin wanted to help end the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, but Trump told the Russian leader that Russia should first end its operation in Ukraine.

Russia has strongly condemned the US-Israeli operation against Iran and has offered to mediate to help restore stability in the Middle East. Moscow has also repeatedly proposed transferring Tehran's enriched uranium stockpile to Russia to reduce tensions, but Washington has rejected this.