Photo: Aaron Schwartz / Zuma Press
US President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had asked him to help resolve the conflict between Israel and Iran. In response, Trump said, he suggested that Putin focus on reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine.
“As you know, Vladimir called me. He said: “Can I help you with Iran?”,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to the NATO summit in The Hague, Fox News reports.
In response, the American president said:
“No, I don’t need help with Iran. I need help with you – for peace in Ukraine.”
6,000 dead in a week: ‘It’s a disgrace’ – Trump
In his statement, Trump also expressed regret over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine:
“Six thousand soldiers were killed last week. It is a shame that we still do not have an agreement,” he stressed.
The US president added that he hopes for a peace agreement with Russia and considers this issue a priority. Such rhetoric signals Trump’s desire to play a key role in the diplomatic processes surrounding the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Analysts are already comparing Trump’s words to a possible attempt at a geopolitical “exchange” – a US proposal not to intervene in the Iranian-Israeli crisis if the Kremlin moves to end its war against Ukraine. This approach could change the balance of power in Europe and the Middle East.
However, sceptics warn that confidence in Putin’s actions, especially after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, remains extremely low among Western allies.
Trump’s statement came just hours before the start of the NATO summit in The Hague, where the main topics are strengthening the Alliance’s security, the situation in Ukraine and deterring Iran after the escalation in the Middle East.
It remains to be seen whether Putin’s call will be the first step towards serious negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
