Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump engaged in a detailed telephone conversation that combined holiday greetings with sharp discussions about the ongoing Ukraine war and the broader Russia-US relationship. The call, confirmed by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, marked the fourth such exchange between the two leaders this year.
During the dialogue, Putin provided an update on Russian military advances along the entire contact line in Ukraine. He highlighted a significant disconnect between the realities on the ground and the prevailing perceptions held by European countries, suggesting that many misunderstand the situation’s true dynamics. This assessment reflects Moscow’s view that Kyiv and its European allies are intentionally prolonging the conflict, with Ushakov accusing them of relying on escalations and attacks targeting civilians, specifically pointing to Ukraine's recent long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure related to the oil sector.
The conversation also focused on sustaining steady communication channels across military, political, and economic domains. Both presidents acknowledged the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, with Trump emphasizing that resolving the Ukraine conflict would be a necessary condition for unlocking broader collaborative opportunities between the two powers.
Separately, Russia’s presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov addressed recent proposals by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a face-to-face meeting with Putin. While Zelensky suggested meeting in a frontline area, Peskov clarified that Moscow is the appropriate venue for such talks. He conveyed Putin’s openness to hosting Zelensky in Russia once Ukraine’s leader approaches the negotiations with what the Kremlin terms “important and responsible decisions.”