(MENAFN- Live Mint) US President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social on Thursday (October 16) that he had concluded a“very productive” telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump highlighted the discussion's focus on multiple diplomatic and economic issues.

“I have just concluded my telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, and it was a very productive one,” Trump wrote.

Middle East peace as leverage

Trump noted that Putin congratulated him and the United States on the recent Middle East peace achievement. He suggested that this success could aid in negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

“President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East, something that, he said, has been dreamed of for centuries. I actually believe that the Success in the Middle East will help in our negotiation in attaining an end to the War with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump said.

Acknowledgment of Melania's role

Trump also mentioned Putin's appreciation for First Lady Melania Trump's efforts with children, noting that it would continue.

“President Putin thanked the First Lady, Melania, for her involvement with children. He was very appreciative, and said that this will continue,” Trump wrote.

Trade and future meetings

The call reportedly included discussions on US-Russia trade once the conflict in Ukraine ends. Trump confirmed plans for high-level advisor meetings next week, led on the US side by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“At the conclusion of the call, we agreed that there will be a meeting of our High Level Advisors, next week. The United States' initial meetings will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with various other people, to be designated. A meeting location is to be determined,” Trump said.

Trump-Putin summit planned

Trump indicated that he and Putin would meet in Budapest, Hungary, in an effort to bring an end to the“inglorious” war.

“President Putin and I will then meet in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this 'inglorious' War, between Russia and Ukraine, to an end,” he wrote.

Discussion with Zelensky

Trump confirmed that he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the following day in the Oval Office to discuss the call and other matters.

“President Zelensky and I will be meeting tomorrow, in the Oval Office, where we will discuss my conversation with President Putin, and much more. I believe great progress was made with today's telephone conversation,” Trump said.

Putin warns Trump Tomahawk supplies to Ukraine would harm peace process

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump during a nearly 2.5-hour phone call that supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would damage the peace process and harm US-Russia relations, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

The call, held at Russia's initiative, also touched on plans for a new summit, which will be preceded by a phone conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ushakov said Trump called the Ukraine war“the hardest of all to resolve” and promised to consider Putin's views before meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.

Putin reportedly told Trump that Ukraine continues to strike Russian energy infrastructure, while Trump said ending the conflict could open“amazing opportunities for economic cooperation.” Trump proposed Budapest as the venue for the next meeting, to which Putin“agreed immediately,” Ushakov added.

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