Ushakov added that the two presidents addressed additional measures to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and agreed to continue negotiations in working groups, which were initiated at the request of the US side.

He also recalled that the conversation took place before Trump met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and at the beginning of the discussion, the leaders exchanged Christmas and New Year’s greetings, after which they began to address the situation in Ukraine.

Ushakov stated that Trump listened attentively to Putin’s arguments and Russia’s assessments of possible paths to resolving the conflict.

The US president emphasized that the Ukrainian crisis had been the most difficult he had faced during his presidency. He also noted that he was once again convinced of Russia’s desire to resolve the conflict through political and diplomatic means.

Ushakov informed that Trump stressed the need to end the war as soon as possible and saw the prospects for economic cooperation among Washington, Moscow, and Kiev.

Both leaders agreed that the peace proposals from Kiev and the European Union (EU) were attempts to prolong the conflict, as the proposals for a temporary ceasefire, under the pretext of preparations for a referendum, only increase the risk of renewed hostilities.

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