Putin tells Trump he won't back down from goals in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would achieve its goals in the conflict with Ukraine, including the elimination of its root causes, in a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, according to Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov.

"Our president said that Russia will achieve its goals, namely to eliminate the well-known root causes that led to the current state of affairs, to the current harsh confrontation. And Russia will not give up on these goals," Ushakov said.

He said that Russia is ready for the third round of talks with Ukraine, adding that Putin and Trump did not discuss the specifics of what would be discussed during the possible negotiations.

The Kremlin aide told the media that Putin and Trump discussed the current situation in Iran and the Middle East, and the situation in Syria over phone.

On the Middle East issue, "Putin stressed the importance of resolving all disputes, disagreements and conflict situations exclusively with political and diplomatic means. The sides agreed to maintain contacts in this regard at the level of foreign ministries, the defense ministries and presidential aides," he added.

Putin and Trump confirmed their mutual interest in implementing a series of economic projects between Russia and the United States, including in energy and space, Ushakov said.

"Within the framework of exchange of opinions on bilateral issues, both sides have confirmed their mutual interest in the realization of a series of promising economic projects, particularly in the spheres of energy and space research," he said.

Ushakov said the presidents agreed to continue their communication.