The Kremlin has confirmed that preparations are underway for a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian news agency TASS on Saturday.
“The conversation is being prepared,” Peskov said, confirming Trump’s earlier announcement on Truth Social that he would speak with Putin on May 19.
According to Trump, the planned discussion will focus on the Ukrainian conflict and trade issues. He also stated that after speaking with Putin, he would hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of NATO member countries.
The last contact between Putin and Trump occurred on March 18.
Trump’s scheduled conversation with Putin follows recent high-level peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, where both sides agreed to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, detailed ceasefire proposals, and the continuation of negotiations.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian delegation in Türkiye, said Moscow was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and acknowledged that Ukraine had requested a direct dialogue between the two presidents.
Russia has “taken this request into consideration,” Medinsky added.