Readout from Russia’s President Putin on Discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump
“Leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his desire to contribute to the noble goal of ending hostilities and loss of life.
Confirming principled commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the President of Russia declared his readiness to work together with his American partners to carefully study possible ways to resolve the conflict, which should be comprehensive, sustainable and long-term.
And, of course, take into account the unconditional need to address the root causes of the crisis and Russia’s legitimate security interests.
In the context of the initiative of the President of the United States to introduce a 30-day truce, the Russian side outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire line of contact, the need to stop forced mobilization in Ukraine and rearmament of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Serious risks associated with the inability of the Kiev regime, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated the agreements reached, were also noted. Attention was drawn to the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against the civilian population of the Kursk Region.
It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kiev.
In connection with Donald Trump’s recent appeal to save the lives of Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk region, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian side is ready to be guided by humanitarian considerations and, in the event of surrender, guarantees the lives and dignity of the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in accordance with Russian laws and international law.
During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal on the mutual refusal of the parties to the conflict to strike energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military a corresponding command.
Likewise The President of Russia reacted constructively to the idea expressed by Donald Trump implementation of the well-known initiative concerning the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. It was agreed to start negotiations for additional working out the specific details of such an agreement.
Vladimir Putin informed that on March 19, between the Russian and Ukrainian sides An exchange of prisoners will be carried out – 175 for 175 people. In addition, as a goodwill will be handed over to 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian servicemen, who are being treated in Russian medical institutions.
The leaders confirmed the intention to continue efforts to achieve a bilateral settlement in Ukraine, including taking into account the above-mentioned proposals of the President United States. For this purpose, Russian and American expert groups are being created.
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also touched upon other issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Will joint efforts have been made to stabilize the situation in crisis points, to establish cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. This, in turn, will contribute to the improvement of the general atmosphere of Russian-American relations. One of the positive examples is the solidarity vote in the UN on the resolution on the Ukrainian conflict.
Expressed mutual interest in normalising bilateral relations in the light of the special responsibility of Russia and the United States for ensuring security and stability in the world. In this context, a wide range of areas in which our countries could establish cooperation was considered. A number of ideas were discussed that are moving towards the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the economy and energy in the future.
Donald Trump supported Vladimir Putin’s idea to organize hockey matches in the United States and Russia between Russian and American players playing in the NHL and KHL.
Presidents We agreed to stay in touch on all the issues raised.” – SOURCE
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