Putin Told Trump That Tomahawk Missiles Would Not Change the Battlefield Situation: Ushakov

The phone conversation between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was substantive, said Putin's assistant Yuri Ushakov during a briefing after the call, according to an RBC correspondent.

He noted that the conversation lasted nearly two and a half hours and was characterized as very frank and confidential. Significant attention was given to Ukraine.

Putin emphasized Russia's interest in achieving a peaceful political and diplomatic resolution. The President noted that Russia is taking strategic initiatives while Ukraine resorts to 'terrorist methods,' which Moscow is compelled to respond to.

Ushakov confirmed that the leaders discussed a possible meeting. As Trump had previously stated, it would take place in Budapest. The American leader was the first to suggest the capital of Hungary, and Putin supported the idea, Ushakov stated. Preparatory discussions will begin with a phone call between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.