Kremlin says Putin-Trump phone call not yet arranged, would be set up quickly
In short
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a new telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump has not yet been substantively arranged, but that it would be agreed promptly if Washington takes the initiative. Peskov was commenting on Trump’s statement that he expects to speak with Putin by phone very soon. A previous Putin-Trump call took place on 8 September after visits to Moscow and Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a new telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump has not yet been substantively arranged. Speaking to journalists, Peskov said that if such an initiative arises, the call will be agreed promptly. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
“So far the conversation has not been substantively arranged, but if there is such an initiative, I have no doubt that it will be promptly agreed,” Peskov said, according to Interfax, Vedomosti and Kommersant. Peskov was commenting on Trump’s statement that he expected to speak by phone with Putin very soon: “I have a telephone conversation with [Putin] scheduled very soon,” Trump said on 7 October, as cited by Vedomosti. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
The two presidents last spoke by telephone on 8 September, after visits to Moscow and Kyiv by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vedomosti reported. That conversation lasted about an hour and the sides discussed the results of those trips. [ 6 ]
Kommersant reported that a regime of constant readiness is in place for contacts between Putin and Trump, meaning the presidents can reach each other when they consider a conversation necessary or expedient, and that separate agreement on agenda and timing remains a practical step rather than a condition for the contact itself. Such calls on Putin’s side are usually held one-on-one, with assistants invited if needed, the outlet reported. Kommersant also reported that the Kremlin announced a series of international telephone calls on 7 October, the day of Putin’s birthday. [ 7 ]
Why it matters
Direct telephone contacts between the Russian and US presidents are the main channel now carrying the bilateral relationship, so whether and when a new call is arranged signals how actively that channel is being used. The documents do not indicate what would be discussed, leaving the practical consequences of any call unstated.
Key facts
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump has not yet been substantively arranged. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Peskov said that if there is an initiative, the call will be agreed promptly. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Peskov was commenting on Trump’s statement that he would speak by phone with Putin very soon. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- On 8 September the two presidents held a telephone call that lasted about an hour, after visits by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv. [ 6 ]
- Kommersant reported that a regime of constant readiness exists for Putin-Trump contacts, so separate agreement on agenda and timing is a practical step rather than a condition for contact itself. [ 7 ]
- Kommersant also reported that the Kremlin announced a series of international telephone calls on 7 October, Putin’s birthday. [ 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A new Putin-Trump telephone call has not yet been substantively arranged, Peskov said. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Peskov said the call would be agreed promptly if such an initiative arises. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Trump said on 7 October that he expected to speak by phone with Putin very soon. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- When a Putin-Trump call might take place and what would be discussed. The documents give no date, time or agenda, and say the conversation has not been substantively arranged.
- Whether Washington has made or will make the initiative Peskov referred to. Peskov’s statement is conditional; the documents do not say an initiative has been received.
- The standing readiness arrangement for Putin-Trump contacts, and the practice of Putin holding such calls one-on-one. Reported only by Kommersant, a single source.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports Peskov saying the Putin-Trump conversation has not been substantively agreed. [ 1 ]
- Interfax quotes Peskov saying the call would be agreed promptly if there is an initiative, commenting on Trump’s words. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti reports Peskov’s remarks and recalls the 8 September Putin-Trump call after the Witkoff and Kushner visits. [ 6 ]
- Kommersant reports Peskov spoke at a briefing, and that the Kremlin announced a series of international calls on 7 October. [ 7 ]