Russian media pushes close Trump-Putin personal ties following call, analyst says

He said this during a broadcast on the Espreso TV channel.

"After the call between Trump and Putin, more narratives were added by Putin’s aide Ushakov. By the way, Putin himself announced that more details could be learned from Peskov and Ushakov. It’s not a gentleman’s business to release narratives in a more detailed form. Russian propaganda now quotes Ushakov and analyzes his statements. Ushakov emphasized that Putin and Trump have very good personal relations, and Trump really does not deny this," Shulha remarked.

The head of the Institute of Conflictology and Analysis of Russia said that quotes are now spreading in Russia saying the US and Russian leaders called each other by their first names — Donald and Vladimir.

“We remember the rumors that Donald Trump really disliked Canada’s former Prime Minister Trudeau because Trudeau once called him ‘Donald’ instead of ‘Mr. Trump’ or ‘Mr. President.’ But here, the atmosphere was very informal. Putin knows how to use that.

According to Ushakov, Putin started the call by congratulating Trump on the birth of his eleventh granddaughter and sending good wishes to his granddaughter and daughter.

Also, Putin offered an important deal about a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia on a '9 for 9' basis. This is very important, and Trump will use it for his political goals at home. The key point is that Russia and the US have good relations, and along with China, the three countries will decide how international relations will be in the near future. Putin is not isolated but is a player on the same level as Trump and Xi Jinping," Shulha added.

• On Monday, May 19, U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine will immediately begin negotiations on a ceasefire and ending the war.