Putin congratulates Trump, issues new statement on Ukraine
The Kremlin reported a «friendly» conversation between Putin and Trump.
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. / © Associated Press / © Associated Press
On Sunday, June 14, Russian «fuhrer» Vladimir Putin called US President Donald Trump to congratulate him on his 80th birthday. According to the dictator’s aide Yuri Ushakov, the leaders also discussed the international situation.
The Kremlin reported that the «friendly and candid» call lasted «exactly 55 minutes,» boasting that the «fuhrer» was allegedly one of the first to call. According to Ushakov, the birthday wishes «sounded informal and reflected respect for the US president’s „fighting spirit.“
The Kremlin also reported that during the conversation, Putin and Trump «discussed bilateral relations and the international situation,» touching upon Ukraine in particular. Trump, Ushakov emphasized, «called for a cessation of hostilities.»
Evidently, the Kremlin leader also spun narratives about the alleged «successes» of his occupying forces on the front lines and defiantly claimed that «no attempts by Kyiv to strike infrastructure in Russia will change the situation on the battlefield.»
Among other things, Putin allegedly confirmed that his meeting with Zelenskyy could only take place in Moscow, stating that if the Ukrainian president «wishes, let him come.»