Putin Warns of "Serious Consequences" if War with Iran Resumes vs. Trump: "Let's End Your War First"

Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, discussed the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine during a call on May 9, the 81st anniversary of Russia's Victory Day marking its World War II victory. Putin expressed a willingness to help with the war in Iran, but Trump effectively rejected the offer and pressed him to focus on ending the war in Ukraine.
According to Russia's state-run TASS Russian News Agency (TASS), Putin told Trump during a phone call on the 29th, local time, that he was "ready to declare a ceasefire during the Victory Day celebrations." Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin's foreign policy aide, said Trump viewed positively the temporary 32-hour ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine over Easter on April 11-12. However, Ushakov did not specify how long the proposed ceasefire would last.
Putin was also reported to have warned about the war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, saying that "if force is used again, it will have very serious consequences not only for Iran and neighboring countries, but for the entire international community" and that "a ground war against Iran cannot be accepted."
Trump also told reporters at the White House that he had discussed a temporary ceasefire in the war in Ukraine during his call with Putin, saying, "We had a good conversation."
Trump said Putin had offered to help with Iran's enriched uranium issue, adding, "I told him, 'I hope you focus on ending the war in Ukraine.' I told him I want you to end your war first before you help me." The 2015 Iran nuclear deal included a provision to transfer Iran's uranium to Russia, and Putin may have proposed a similar form of involvement. In effect, Trump rejected Putin's offer and pressed for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Finally, when asked which would end first, the war in Ukraine or the war in Iran, Trump replied, "It looks like the two are probably on a similar timeline."
whywani@fnnews.com Reporter Hong Chae-wan Reporter