Birthday call: Putin and Trump talk Middle East and Ukraine prisoner swaps

In a phone call that took place on Donald Trump's 79th birthday, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed ending the "war" in the Middle East and planned prisoner swaps in Ukraine. According to reports, Putin also extended birthday wishes to his U.S. counterpart during the call.

The call was confirmed by Trump on his Truth Social platform and by the Kremlin through presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

Regarding the Middle East, the Kremlin stated that President Putin denounced a recent Israeli military operation against Iran and expressed "grave concern over the possible escalation of the conflict." Ushakov added that Putin conveyed Russia's readiness to engage in mediation efforts.

In his own statement, Trump said he and Putin discussed the situation. "He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end," Trump wrote on social media. According to the Kremlin, both leaders are open to a "return to the negotiating track on Iran's nuclear program."

The conversation also included the topic of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin reported that Putin informed Trump about the status of agreements reached in Istanbul on June 2 and expressed Russia's readiness to continue talks after June 22.

Trump wrote that he told Putin the conflict "should also end." He added a detail about a development in the conflict, stating, "He (Putin) is doing the planned prisoner swaps -- large numbers of prisoners are being exchanged, immediately, from both sides."

The call took place on Saturday, which was Trump's 79th birthday. Trump noted in his post that Putin wished him a happy birthday during their conversation.

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