4 hours ago
Last Updated:June 19, 2025, 07:02 IST
Trump told Putin to first mediate peace in Russia's conflict with Ukraine before offering to mediate between Israel and Iran. Putin described Trump as someone who calculates well.
A file photo of Vladimir Putin with Donald Trump (AP)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday took a dig at Russian President Vladimir Putin and asked him to mediate the war in his own country with Ukraine. The development came after Putin, on Wednesday, offered to mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Speaking to reporters, when asked about Putin’s help offer, Trump acknowledged that he had spoken to the Russian President and that the latter offered to mediate.
“I spoke to Putin yesterday and he actually offered to help mediate. I said, ‘Do me a favour. Mediate your own. Let’s mediate with Russia first. I said, Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later," Trump said about what he told the Russian President.
Trump says he spoke to Putin YESTERDAYAdds Russian leader offered to mediate between Iran and Israel
47 claims he told Putin ‘mediate your own, let’s mediate Russia 1st’ pic.twitter.com/1CLsGuZm9c
— RT (@RT_com) June 18, 2025
Meanwhile, responding to Trump, Putin said Trump is a businessman who ‘calculates well’.
He also said he hoped the United States would take steps to restore relations with Russia.
“Donald Trump is a businessman who calculates well," Putin said.
“Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this (mediation)," Putin said at a televised press conference in Saint Petersburg.
RUSSIA’S OFFER TO MEDIATE
On Wednesday, Putin offered to help mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns.
Speaking at a roundtable session with senior news leaders of international news agencies, Putin noted that “it’s a delicate issue," but added that “in my view, a solution could be found."
Putin said he shared Moscow’s proposals with Iran, Israel and the United States. His comments follow a mediation offer that he made in a call with Trump last weekend.
Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it has developed strong economic and military ties with Iran, a policy that potentially opens opportunities for Moscow to play power broker to help end the confrontation.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
News world 'Do Me A Favour, Mediate Your Own': Trump's Dig At Putin As Russia Offers Deal Between Iran, Israel
