MOSCOW, June  14, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin 
discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as efforts towards a 
Ukraine settlement in a phone call with US counterpart Donald Trump, the 
Kremlin said Saturday.

 It was the fifth phone call between the two leaders under efforts to reset 
relations since Trump took office, in a stark pivot from the approach of his 
predecessor Joe Biden's administration.

 "The dangerous escalation in the Middle East was of course at the centre of 
the exchange," the Kremlin said, after Israel on Friday bombarded Iran, 
prompting Iran to launch strikes at Israel in return.

 The Russian president said Moscow was ready to mediate between Israel and 
Iran, it added.

 Both Putin and Trump expressed concern about the recent escalation in the 
Middle East, but both still "did not rule out a return to negotiations on 
Iran's nuclear programme", according to the statement.

 It said Putin also informed Trump about the "implementation of the 
agreements reached at the meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegationsin Istanbul on June 2".

 The Russian leader told his US counterpart that Russia was ready to 
continue negotiations with Ukraine after June 22, while Trump acknowledged this and "reiterated his interest in the swift resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict", the Kremlin added. 

 Putin also congratulated Trump on his birthday and both leaders mentioned 
the "brotherhood in arms" between Russia and the United States during World War Two.