USHAKOV: PUTIN HELD PHONE CALL WITH TRUMP

MOSCOW, JUNE 14 /SRNA–RIA Novosti/ – Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation today with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he congratulated him on his 80th birthday, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

Ushakov told the press that the conversation lasted 55 minutes and was friendly, open and informal, with a touch of humour.

He added that Trump expressed readiness to cooperate with both Europe and Kyiv in seeking a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, as well as regarding a future U.S.-Iran memorandum, noting that the U.S. president believes an agreement is close to being reached.

According to Ushakov, Trump also spoke about the allied relations between the two countries during the Second World War, stressing that this should not be forgotten.

He said the two leaders also discussed key issues of the current international situation, the development of Russian-American relations and possible future contacts between representatives of the two sides.

“Putin thanked Trump for his warm gratulatory note on Russia Day, which reflected respect for the Russian people,” Ushakov said.

He added that Putin conveyed his best wishes to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and praised her role in helping reunite Russian and Ukrainian children with their families.

This was the 13th telephone conversation between Putin and Trump since Trump was re-elected President of the United States. Their previous phone call took place on April 29.

Ushakov said that U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, are expected to visit Moscow soon.