Inside the 90-Minute Putin-Trump Call: How Aides Yuri Ushakov and Steve Witkoff Arranged the Conversation

US to supply 800,000 tons of diesel; uncertainty over resumption of talks with Ukraine, Moscow emphasizes diplomacy in Iran crisis

Special Correspondent. Dhaka, October 11, 2026.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump discussed the end of the war in Ukraine, Russian diesel supplies, the Iran crisis and economic cooperation between the two countries in a 1.5-hour phone call. After the call, the Russian president’s aide Yuri Ushakov said the two leaders had “long and friendly” talks. However, no specific decisions were made about a possible bilateral meeting.

Briefing reporters about the call on the night of October 9, Ushakov said that Trump wished Putin a happy birthday. The two leaders’ conversation focused on various international crises, as well as issues of communication and economic initiatives between Russia and the United States.

 

Connection made through Witkoff and Ushakov

Regarding the background to the Putin-Trump phone call, Ushakov said, “On the afternoon of October 7, we spoke by telephone with the US President’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. He asked me to convey the sincere congratulations and best wishes of US President Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Steve Witkoff also asked me to convey his and Jared Kushner’s best wishes to our President; he sincerely respects our President and looks forward to meeting him soon.”

Ushakov highlighted the interest of US President’s special envoy Witkoff, saying,

“Steve Witkoff also said that the US President was interested in personally congratulating Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin by telephone. So we began to look for a convenient moment in the schedules of the two presidents — taking into account the time difference between Moscow and Washington, of course.”

The issue of supplying 800,000 tons of diesel to the United States

One of the key topics of the phone conversation was the possibility of Russian energy supplies to the US market. According to Ushakov, the two leaders discussed the preparation of large-scale economic initiatives aimed at the possibility of supplying Russian petroleum products to international markets, including the US.

At the briefing, a journalist asked whether 300,000 tons of diesel would be delivered to the United States immediately and another 500,000 tons later, referring to a post by Trump on the social media platform Truth Social. In response, Ushakov said that he had read Trump’s statement and that the special statement of the Russian president and the statement of the country’s Ministry of Energy on this issue had already been published.

However, Ushakov did not provide details on what kind of concessions the US has made to Russia or whether the fuel is being supplied in exchange for any agreement. He said that further clarifications may be forthcoming from the US.

Putin’s position on the Ukraine war remains unchanged

Ushakov said the two leaders discussed the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine. He claimed that Putin explained Russia’s actions in response to the Ukrainian attack and said that Russian forces have taken control of the initiative on the battlefield and are advancing.

According to Ushakov, Putin described the attempt to stop the advance of Russian forces by attacking deep into Ukrainian territory as a failure. At the same time, he said that Russia’s position on the goals and objectives of the war has not changed. However, Moscow is also ready for a political and diplomatic solution to establish a long-term and sustainable peace.

The two leaders had earlier discussed the possibility of resuming trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine. However, Ushakov claimed that the possibility of resuming those talks immediately was hampered by the massive drone attacks in Ukraine aimed at disrupting Russia’s election. He said that the timing of when the talks could resume would now be considered.

Ushakov also said that Trump listened carefully to Russia’s statement and ordered the Ukrainian delegation, which is in contact with US representatives in Miami, to convey the necessary message.

Emphasis on diplomacy in Iran crisis

The two leaders also discussed the ongoing crisis surrounding Iran. Ushakov said Putin believes that the path to a diplomatic solution to the Iran crisis is not yet exhausted. Talks with Tehran are possible and necessary.

Ushakov also said that the Russian president had discussed the current situation in detail with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan the previous day. According to him, despite the tough public statements, the United States continues to have indirect contact with Iran with the participation of Qatar.

Ushakov said Moscow’s proposal to transfer Iran’s highly enriched uranium to Russia remains a possible way to resolve the crisis. He claimed that Trump has positively viewed Russia’s role in this regard.

Melania Trump’s humanitarian initiatives

The call also touched on the humanitarian work of US First Lady Melania Trump. Ushakov said Putin expressed gratitude for Melania’s contribution to efforts to reunite children separated from their families due to the conflict in Ukraine.

Concerns about the humanitarian situation in the city of Aleshki in the Kherson region were also discussed. The two sides agreed that Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova will maintain regular contact with Melania Trump’s office on this issue, Ushakov said.

Possibility of meeting in China

Asked about a possible direct meeting between Putin and Trump, Ushakov said the issue was not specifically discussed in the phone call. However, he noted that the two leaders are interested in participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in China.

Ushakov believes that if the two leaders were to attend the same international event, there could be opportunities for them to meet, shake hands, and discuss. However, no final decision has been made on this matter yet.

An hour and a half of friendly conversation

According to Ushakov, the conversation between the two leaders was long and friendly. He said that neither of them wanted to end the call at first; in the end, both hung up at the same time.

At the beginning of the call, Trump wished Putin a happy birthday and conveyed greetings from his wife Melania. Putin thanked Trump and praised the attention the US president and his team have paid to maintaining dialogue with Russia.

Ushakov said the two leaders also expressed satisfaction with the existing communication system between the two countries’ administrations, intelligence agencies and other relevant institutions. The discussion also touched on sports; Trump recognized the contribution of Russian player Alexander Ovechkin to world hockey.

However, despite the long phone call, the Russian president’s aide did not provide specific details about a possible bilateral meeting, any concessions in exchange for energy supplies, or a new timetable for the Ukraine peace talks.