Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, December 28 (Xinhua) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump agree that the temporary ceasefire proposed by Ukrainians and Europeans to hold a referendum will only prolong the conflict. This was stated by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov to reporters on Sunday after the two leaders spoke by phone earlier that day.
"The main thing is that the presidents of Russia and the United States hold broadly similar views that the temporary ceasefire proposed by the Ukrainians and Europeans, under the pretext of preparing for a referendum or other pretexts, will only prolong the conflict and risk a resumption of hostilities," TASS quotes the Kremlin spokesman as saying.
According to Yury Ushakov, the telephone conversation lasted one hour and 15 minutes. "The entire conversation was equally friendly, cordial, and businesslike, characterized by a mutual interest in moving toward a peaceful, lasting resolution to the Ukrainian conflict," the Russian presidential aide reported.
As he recounted, D. Trump listened carefully to Russia's assessments of the real prospects for reaching an agreement, and to Vladimir Putin's very detailed arguments about the fundamental importance of continuing to rely on the fundamental Russian-American understandings reached during the Anchorage summit and numerous contacts between representatives of the two administrations.
"Donald Trump persistently promoted the idea that the war really needed to be ended as quickly as possible, speaking about the impressive prospects that were opening up for US economic cooperation with both Russia and Ukraine," noted Yuri Ushakov.
The Kremlin spokesman emphasized that a final cessation of hostilities requires, first and foremost, a bold, responsible political decision from Kyiv, consistent with the work being carried out through the Russian-American channel.
“Given the current situation on the front lines, it would make sense for the Ukrainian regime to make this decision regarding Donbass without delay,” he noted.
"During today's conversation, the Russian President agreed to the American side's proposal to continue work on a settlement around Ukraine within the framework of two specially created working groups," added Yuri Ushakov. As the Russian leader's aide explained, one of them will address "various aspects of security issues," while the other will focus on "economic issues."
Regarding the next conversation between the leaders of the Russian Federation and the United States, Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed to speak with each other again promptly by telephone following the US President's meeting in Mar-a-Lago with the Ukrainian team on Sunday evening. –0–
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