The conversation took place before Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Miami. The head of the White House called him “good.”
According to Ushakov, Putin and Trump exchanged greetings on Christmas and New Year and wished “happiness to the peoples of the two countries.” An assistant to the illegitimate president of the Russian Federation called the nature of their conversation “friendly, benevolent and businesslike.”
Putin and Trump mainly talked about the war that the Russian Federation unleashed in Ukraine. The parties, as Ushakov said, showed “mutual interest” in a “long-term” peace. Putin, according to Ushakov, presented “very detailed arguments”, insisting that Trump continue to focus on negotiations in Anchorage.
“The presidents of Russia and the United States hold generally similar views that the option of a temporary ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and the Europeans under the pretext of preparing for a referendum or under other pretexts only leads to a prolongation of the conflict and is fraught with a resumption of hostilities,” Ushakov said.
According to him, Putin insists that Ukraine “not hesitate” in deciding the fate of Donbass.
Putin also agreed with Trump’s proposal to continue working on resolving the war in Ukraine within the framework of two special working groups – on security and economic issues. They will be formed in early January. The American leader said that after the end of the war, “impressive prospects” for US economic cooperation with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine would open, Ushakov added.
Trump will also have another conversation with Putin following the meeting with Zelensky.
