Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone call lasting over one and a half hours on 30 April, covering the assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, the crisis in Iran, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Kremlin said. The conversation, confirmed by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, marks one of the most substantive exchanges between the two leaders in recent months.

Putin Condemns Assassination Attempt on Trump

Putin strongly condemned the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, stressing what Ushakov described as "the unacceptability of any form of politically motivated violence." The gesture was notable given the historically fraught relationship between Washington and Moscow, and signals a deliberate effort by the Kremlin to maintain personal rapport with the Trump administration.

Iran and the Persian Gulf: Moscow's Red Lines

Among the international issues discussed, the situation in Iran and the Persian Gulf took centre stage, according to the Kremlin. Putin reportedly endorsed Trump's decision to extend a ceasefire, calling it "the right move" that would help stabilise the region. However, the Russian president also warned of what he called "inevitable, extremely dire consequences" — not just for Iran and its neighbours, but for the entire international community — should the United States and Israel resort to military force again. Russia, Ushakov said, remains committed to diplomatic efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear programme dispute, and has put forward a series of proposals to bridge differences. Moscow intends to maintain active contacts with Iranian representatives, leaders of Persian Gulf states, as well as with Israel and the US negotiating team.

Ukraine: Shared Criticism of Kyiv, Victory Day Truce Proposed

On Ukraine, the Kremlin said both leaders voiced "largely similar assessments" of the conduct of the Kyiv authorities under President Volodymyr Zelensky, characterising them as pursuing a course aimed at prolonging the conflict — "provoked and backed by European powers," according to the Kremlin's account. Putin directly told Trump that Kyiv is "openly resorting to terrorist methods, carrying out strikes on purely civilian facilities on Russian territory," Ushakov said. Russia has reportedly handed over more than 20,000 bodies of deceased soldiers to Ukraine, while Ukraine has returned just over 500 bodies to Russia since the beginning of 2025, Putin told Trump. At Trump's request, Putin described the current situation along the contact line, with Ushakov stating that Russian troops "maintain the strategic initiative." Putin also informed Trump of Russia's readiness to declare a truce during Victory Day commemorations. Trump expressed strong support for the initiative, reportedly noting that "the holiday marks our common victory over Nazism in World War II." Putin, however, reaffirmed that the goals of Russia's "special military operation" would be achieved regardless, preferring a negotiated path only if Zelensky responds positively to existing proposals — including those put forward by the US side.

US-Russia Relations and What Comes Next

Beyond the two active conflicts, the leaders discussed what Ushakov described as "broad prospects for mutually beneficial projects" in the economic and energy spheres — a signal that bilateral trade and energy cooperation remain on the agenda despite sweeping Western sanctions. Both presidents agreed to maintain personal contact as well as communication at the level of their aides and representatives. Trump's authorised representatives, Ushakov said, will maintain contacts with both Moscow and Kyiv. With a Victory Day truce now floated and the Iran situation in flux, the next several days could prove critical for both diplomatic tracks.