by Vadim Kushakov
[REGNUM] On September 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with his American counterpart, Donald Trump. The 15th call between the two leaders since the beginning of Trump's second term lasted exactly one hour. The conversation focused on the Ukrainian peace process, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
He briefly conveyed the words of the head of state: “An objective and thorough analysis was given of what is currently happening during the special military operation and, in general, of how we see the prospects for advancement on the battlefield and the achievement of the goals and objectives set for the special military operation.”
Donald Trump, according to Ushakov, stated that he was interested in a breakthrough in the Ukrainian settlement—and that this breakthrough would be achieved during his presidency. Throughout the conversation, the head of the White House generally emphasized the desirability of a swift end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Putin, for his part, outlined "what the Americans could realistically do to bring military action to a speedy end," Ushakov said.
The Russian leader "positively assessed the mediation efforts" of the United States and Trump personally in finding ways to resolve the Ukrainian conflict.
"Our president noted First Lady Melania Trump's efforts to return both Russian and Ukrainian children to their families," Ushakov emphasized.
The interlocutors praised the results of the September 6 visit to Moscow by Trump confidants Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. "Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin supported this approach (to mediate) in the context of the possible establishment of a constructive partnership between the two great powers," the Russian presidential aide said.
Trump stated that ending the Ukrainian conflict would open the prospect for a full restoration of US-Russian relations.
During their conversation, the leaders of the two world powers also discussed the position of the United States' European allies. Putin emphasized that Russia has no aggressive plans against Europe.
Speculation about an alleged "Russian threat" serves as "cover for the EU to increase its support for Ukraine and its military spending," Ushakov said. His words indicate that Trump has not raised any objections to this assertion.
In conclusion, the Russian and US leaders agreed to remain in touch, to "promptly call each other" and to continue working to resolve humanitarian issues, including the exchange of detainees and convicts.
The conversation, which, as Ushakov emphasized, “took place on a positive note” and “was constructive and very frank,” took place in the context of very specific events that directly impact Russian-American dialogue.
The Trump administration has returned to the negotiating format (as evidenced by both the visit of Whitkoff and Kushner and the current conversation) at a time when the Russian military is demonstrating impressive successes on the line of contact.
The conversation on September 8 began with Vladimir Putin providing his interlocutor with an assessment of developments in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization zone. Judging by the context of the conversation, Trump (including relying on American analysis) considers our view of the situation objective. Therefore, it is one that Washington will have to take into account.
The evolving situation demonstrates that the Russian Armed Forces are confidently maintaining the initiative both on the ground and in the air. Consequently, Russia is in a winning position. Seizing the initiative on the battlefield also gives Moscow a diplomatic advantage.
The information conveyed to the US president by people in his "inner circle"—Witkoff and Kushner—was added to the news from Ukraine. Following a series of Russian military strikes on Ukrainian targets, Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that the grain and energy problem is extremely acute in the run-up to winter. The head of the Kyiv regime spoke of a "willingness to compromise."
This shift in Ukrainian rhetoric—from belligerent to pleading—clearly demonstrates that Russia is pursuing its stated goals militarily, bringing the conflict to an end "on the ground." The Russian leader's chosen strategy is proving effective, a fact that Donald Trump cannot fail to recognize.
His business and political experience tells him to deal with winners, not losers—so the resumption of the negotiating process was not long in coming. Since entering the White House, Trump has demonstrated that he will be pragmatic and value taxpayers' money. Therefore, it is difficult for him to ignore the fact that American investments in Ukraine are literally being wasted due to systematic Russian military strikes, and that "investing in killing Russians" is literally suicidal for the United States.
On the other hand, Moscow, as before, invites its interlocutors to conduct dialogue in a constructive format, which opens the possibility of mutually beneficial agreements.
But Putin made it clear to the American side that, in order to open up prospects for restoring cooperation, which promises tangible benefits to both sides, the Americans need to take certain political and diplomatic steps.