In a significant phone call between world leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump that Moscow remains open to peace talks but will not compromise on its core demands in the Ukraine war.

According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin stressed Russia’s continued pursuit of a negotiated end to Ukraine war, even as it stands firm on eliminating what it calls the root causes of the conflict.

The discussion, described as wide-ranging, also covered tensions in the Middle East and the crisis with Iran. During the conversation, Trump again pressed for an early resolution to the Ukraine conflict, a goal he had promised to achieve when he took office. But Putin remained clear: while Russia welcomes dialogue, its strategic objectives remain unchanged.

“President Putin reiterated our desire for a political and negotiated solution to the conflict,” Ushakov told reporters. “However, Russia will not abandon its goals, which include addressing the root causes that led to this confrontation.”

These so-called “root causes” refer to Moscow’s long-standing opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, arguing that such a move threatens Russian security. While the West and Ukraine dismiss this as a false pretext for aggression, Trump has previously shown understanding toward Moscow’s stance against NATO expansion.

The Kremlin aide said Putin updated Trump on the latest steps toward prisoner exchanges and recovering fallen soldiers between Russia and Ukraine, describing them as signs of progress in humanitarian areas. However, there was no discussion on the recent U.S. decision to halt some critical arms shipments to Ukraine.

On the Middle East, Russia emphasized diplomacy over conflict. Putin reportedly told Trump that all disagreements with Iran must be settled through peaceful and political means. This follows the recent U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, an action Russia condemned as illegal and provocative.

As the Ukraine war drags on, both leaders recognize the need for dialogue, yet major hurdles remain. Russia continues to frame its military actions as defensive, while the U.S. seeks a negotiated end to Ukraine war — goals that, for now, seem far apart.