Yury Ushakov: Good evening, colleagues.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the United States of America Donald Trump have just had another telephone conversation.
The conversation lasted for about an hour, to be precise, for 50 minutes, it was substantive, sincere and, the main thing, very useful.
Naturally, it was focused on the dangerous exacerbation of the situation in the Middle East.
Vladimir Putin denounced the Israeli’s military operation against Iran and expressed a grave concern over the possible escalation of the conflict, which would have unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East region.
Our President advised the US counterpart on his yesterday’s telephone contacts with the Israeli Prime Minister and the President of Iran. He emphasised the importance of preventing the conflict from escalating and the readiness of the Russian side to engage in possible mediation efforts.
The President of Russia reminded that prior to the current escalation, we had proposed specific steps intended to reach mutually acceptable agreements during the negotiations between US and Iranian representatives on the Iranian nuclear programme, but Israel delivered the strikes right on the eve of the next negotiation round scheduled for June 15.
Russia's principle-based approach and interest in the settlement remain unchanged. And as Vladimir Putin noted, we will continue to act proceeding from this position.
For his part, Donald Trump also views the situation as very alarming admitting, however, the effectiveness of Israel's strikes on its targets in Iran. But it is characteristic that the Russian and US presidents, notwithstanding such a complicated situation, do not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Incidentally, as Donald Trump noted, the team of US negotiators is ready for resuming work with Iranian representatives. As it is known, five rounds of such indirect talks took place with Oman’s mediation.
In addition, our President also informed Donald Trump about executing the agreements reached by the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on June 2. Our President underscored that these days we are performing an exchange of POWs, including those seriously wounded and under 25 years of age. Ukraine has also accepted two batches of dead bodies.
The Russian side has expressed its readiness to continue its talks with Ukrainians, as agreed, after June 22. Donald Trump took note of this information and reiterated his interest in bringing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict to a speedy conclusion.
Of course, Vladimir Putin wished Donald Trump a happy birthday – the President of the United States turned 79 today. Both leaders have expressed satisfaction with the established personal relations that make it possible to communicate sincerely and in a businesslike mode, search for the resolution of pressing issues on the bilateral and international agendas regardless of how complicated such issues may be.
Vladimir Putin also noted that the United States are celebrating Flag Day today and 250th anniversary of the US Army. As in their previous conversation, both presidents noted their brotherhood in arms during the Second World War.
This what I could approximately say following the telephone conversation. Thank you.