US says attempts to isolate Russia collapse after Putin and Trump talk

Telephone talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US leader Donald Trump signal the failure of the West's efforts to isolate Russia internationally. The New York Times wrote on February 12.

"For Mr. Putin, the phone conversation [with Trump] was an important milestone that demonstrated the collapse of the West's efforts to isolate him diplomatically," the publication said in its article.

At the same time, it notes that the Kiev regime fears the possible development of close relations between the two leaders and the start of peace talks on Ukraine without Kiev's own participation.

Sense of contact: Putin and Trump agree on diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis

In an hour and a half, they also discussed prisoner exchanges, the situation in the Middle East and the Iran nuclear deal

Putin held a telephone conversation with Trump on February 12. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the two leaders discussed many topics, including the exchange of Russian and US citizens, the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and the situation in the Middle East. The presidents shared the view that long-term peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through peaceful negotiations.

Trump, in turn, shared that he is united with Putin in the opinion that Washington and Moscow will be able to benefit greatly from working together. The American leader also said that he plans to meet with the Russian president in Saudi Arabia.