Trump, Putin speak for an hour on ending Ukraine war, prisoner swaps

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with US President Donald Trump for an hour on Tuesday (local time).

According to Russian news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said in a briefing that day that the two leaders talked for exactly one hour. He called it "a constructive and very candid conversation."

The two leaders exchanged views on the outcome of visits by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The two envoys traveled to Russia on Saturday and then to Ukraine on Sunday. Ushakov said both leaders viewed the visits positively.

During his meeting with Trump's envoys, Putin reportedly told Kushner, "Russia has no aggressive plans toward Europe."

Trump reportedly said that ending the conflict in Ukraine would open the way to restoring US-Russia relations. He said restoring trade ties between the two countries would bring significant benefits to both sides. In response, Ushakov said, Putin voiced support for Trump's determination to build a constructive GPAI between the two countries.

According to Ushakov's briefing, the two leaders agreed to continue prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. They also agreed to stay in contact and speak by phone immediately whenever necessary.