Will Washington and Moscow strike a grand bargain: Iran in exchange for Ukraine?
Trump says the Russian president wanted to offer help regarding Iran and urged him to work toward ending the war in Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions on the war in Iran and the prospects for peace in Ukraine, only hours after Putin warned that a global energy crisis threatens the world economy. Observers do not rule out that these talks may reflect a form of strategic bargaining between the two sides over these sensitive files, especially following reports indicating that Moscow has been providing intelligence support to Tehran to target U.S. warships.
The U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran triggered the largest increase in oil prices since the turmoil that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as several Gulf countries reduced production after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Kremlin stated that Trump called Putin in what was the first phone conversation between the two presidents this year. During the call, they discussed Russian ideas aimed at quickly ending the conflict involving Iran, the military situation in Ukraine, and the impact of Venezuela on the global oil market.
Speaking at a press conference at his golf club in Florida, Trump said: “I had a very good phone call with President Putin,” adding that the Russian leader wanted to offer assistance regarding Iran.
He continued: “I told him you could be more helpful if you ended the war between Ukraine and Russia. That would be far more beneficial.”
The call took place on Monday, only hours after statements by Putin in which he said the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran had caused a global energy crisis. He also warned that oil production dependent on transport through the Strait of Hormuz could soon be disrupted.
Putin stated that Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter and holder of the largest natural gas reserves, is prepared to resume dealings with European clients if they wish to return to long-term cooperation.
Meanwhile, three informed sources said that amid the turmoil affecting global energy markets, the Trump administration is considering easing oil sanctions imposed on Russia, with a possible announcement expected on Monday.
The move is intended to strengthen global oil supplies following severe disruptions affecting Middle Eastern shipments due to the escalating conflict. However, it could also complicate U.S. efforts to deprive Russia of revenues used to finance its war in Ukraine.
The sources, who requested anonymity, said the talks could include broader sanctions relief as well as more targeted options allowing certain countries, such as India, to purchase Russian oil without fear of U.S. sanctions, including tariffs.
Last week, the United States temporarily allowed India to purchase Russian crude already loaded on tankers at sea in order to help it cope with declining supplies from the Middle East.
Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin’s foreign policy adviser, stated that the discussion with Trump was “very important” and could have practical significance for further cooperation between the two countries.
Ushakov added that Trump believes it is in the interest of the United States to see “a rapid end to the conflict in Ukraine through a ceasefire and a long-term settlement.”
He also noted that the advances of Russian forces in Ukraine should push Kyiv to seek an end to the conflict through negotiations.
