The Russian and US presidents did not discuss a deadline or timeframe to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia’s presidential aide Yury Ushakov said on Monday, after a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
“No, we did not discuss this, although Trump naturally emphasized his interest in swiftly reaching some sort of agreement,” he told reporters in Sochi.
Earlier, Trump said his call with Putin “went very well” and that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” start negotiations to reach a ceasefire and end the more than three-year-old war.
Putin, meanwhile, described the talk “frank and substantive,” adding that a truce with Ukraine is possible once relevant agreements are reached.
Ushakov also disclosed that the US and Russia are preparing another exchange of imprisoned citizens, with nine individuals expected to be returned by each side.
“Exchanges of imprisoned citizens of the two countries were mentioned. The presidents noted that another such exchange, nine persons from each side, is currently being arranged,” he said.
