Putin, Zelensky call Trump on his birthday amid stalled peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky each spoke by phone with President Trump on Sunday, coming as the president celebrated his 80th birthday ahead of the Group of 7 summit this week.

Trump has stepped back from mediating talks between Russia and Ukraine in the midst of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. He was unable to achieve any significant breakthroughs despite months of trying.

Putin’s call with the president lasted just under an hour, the Kremlin said in a statement, and the Russian leader extended glowing remarks to Trump on his birthday. 

“You are a truly remarkable and extraordinary person and politician,” Putin said in a statement. 

The Kremlin said the two leaders discussed Iran, with Trump saying an agreement with Iran was close. Trump on Sunday night said a deal with Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was done.  

Putin aide Yury Ushakov said that Trump raised the necessity of a ceasefire in the Russia’s........

© The Hill