Trump and Putin Hold "Substantive" Hour-Long Call on Iran and Ukraine | DISCUSS

On Monday, March 9, 2026, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone conversation of the year, a high-stakes one-hour call focused on brokering a "quick political and diplomatic settlement" to the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

The call, initiated by the White House, comes as the U.S.-Israeli operation in Iran enters its 11th day and the war in Ukraine moves into its fifth year.

Key Discussion: The War in Iran

With the Strait of Hormuz currently closed and global oil prices surging past $100 per barrel, both leaders expressed an urgent need to stabilize the Middle East:

Putin’s Proposals: The Russian leader, who maintains close ties with Tehran, presented several "ideas" for a ceasefire. He urged for a diplomatic end to the "armed aggression" against Iran to prevent a total collapse of the global energy system.

Trump’s Assessment: President Trump provided his evaluation of the ongoing military strikes, noting that while the operation continues, he believes Putin "wants to be helpful" in resolving the Middle East crisis.

Energy Relief: Following the call, Trump announced he would waive some oil sanctions on unspecified countries to boost global supply and bring down prices that have spiked due to the conflict.

Key Discussion: The War in Ukraine

The leaders also discussed the status of the trilateral negotiations involving Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv:

Ceasefire Interest: Trump reiterated the U.S. commitment to achieving a swift ceasefire and a long-term settlement. He described the call as "upbeat" and "positive," despite acknowledging the "tremendous hatred" between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Battlefield Status: Putin provided a description of the current "line of contact," claiming that Russian troops are currently progressing with "a lot of success," a factor he suggested should encourage Kyiv to return to the negotiating table.

Mediation Praise: The Kremlin reported that Putin "positively evaluated" the mediation efforts undertaken by the Trump administration thus far.