US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on March 9. The politicians focused on negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as the US military operation in Iran.
This was announced by Yuri Ushakov, an assistant to the head of the Russian Federation, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
According to him, the conversation between the leaders of the US and Russia lasted about an hour and was, he said, “businesslike, constructive, and frank.” The parties discussed and focused on negotiations regarding Ukraine and around Iran.
According to Ushakov, Trump “once again expressed interest in a quick ceasefire and a long-term settlement in Ukraine.” In addition, the Kremlin aide noted that politicians mentioned the “topic” of Venezuela in the conversation.
Trump himself said he had a “very good conversation” with Putin. According to him, they discussed Ukraine and the Middle East. Trump noted that there is “tremendous hatred” between Putin and Zelensky and that they cannot come to an agreement, but called the conversation “positive.” The US president added that Putin wants to be “helpful” in the Middle East, but he replied that a more useful step would be to end the war against Ukraine.
Before that, Trump spoke to Putin on the phone in late December 2025 before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On March 9, the Ukrainian leader said that another trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia on ending the war had been postponed due to the US-Israeli military operation against Iran. At the same time, Zelensky stressed that Kyiv was ready for negotiations “at any time.”