Putin to Trump: Russia won't back down on Ukraine war's 'root causes'

TASS and RIA Novosti reported the information, citing a statement from Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov.

According to him, the conversation between Trump and Putin lasted almost an hour. During the dialogue, the U.S. president raised the issue of the “quickest possible end to military actions” in Ukraine.

In response, the head of the Kremlin said that Moscow “continues to seek a negotiated solution to the Ukrainian conflict.”

“The president informed Trump that Russia will not give up on eliminating all the root causes of the confrontation that has arisen,” Ushakov said, adding that the Russian dictator told his counterpart about the progress of the Istanbul agreements.

According to Ushakov, Putin and Trump also discussed the possibility of a personal meeting, but the idea is “still up in the air.”

The start of the conversation was announced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by TASS at 6:10 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times and Politico write that a phone conversation is being prepared between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is noted that it may take place on Friday, July 4.

This is happening amid reports that Washington has suspended the supply of some weapons to Kyiv. According to sources, the Ukrainian leader will raise the issue of possible future sales of American weapons.

• On July 3, Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that “tomorrow or in the coming days” his phone conversation with American leader Donald Trump may take place.