Kremlin drops huge bombshell from ‘friendly’ Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin call.TA
The extraordinary insight emerged after the US President called for Ukraine to elect a new leader,
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (Image: Getty)
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump were so friendly during a 90-minute phone call that neither wanted to hang up first, the Kremlin has claimed.
The extraordinary insight has emerged after the US President called for Ukraine to elect a new leader, attacking Volodymyr Zelensky once again.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Friday’s conversation between the two leaders was “very substantive and friendly”.
He added: “Neither wanted to be the first to hang up. They hung up simultaneously, literally at the same time.”
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The call focused largely on efforts to end Russia‘s war in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. However, it also produced an agreement for Russia to supply diesel to US and global markets in a move intended to bring down fuel prices.
Washington subsequently announced a temporary easing of sanctions affecting Russian fuel exports, prompting anger in Kyiv.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky condemned the decision, describing it as a “weak decision” and “an investment in a war that must be ended”.
The agreement came as Trump stepped up his criticism of the Ukrainian leader, suggesting he should be replaced.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump told reporters.
The US President also blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to high diesel prices, an issue with domestic political implications ahead of America’s midterm elections.
The developments have raised fresh questions about Washington’s approach to the conflict, with Kyiv concerned that easing restrictions on Russian energy exports could provide Moscow with additional revenue while its invasion continues.
Despite the Kremlin’s description of a warm exchange, the call did not produce an immediate breakthrough on peace negotiations. Ushakov indicated that Putin had played down the prospect of three-way talks resuming soon.
US, Ukrainian and European negotiators have separately been holding discussions aimed at developing a proposal to end the war.
The Kremlin’s account of the call offers a striking contrast with Trump’s latest public criticism of Zelensky, as pressure grows on Ukraine to agree to a settlement with Russia.
Nigel Farage announces bombshell deportation plan for Afghan and Palestinian migrants
Nigel Farage will announce hardline migration plans next week.
Nigel Farage announces bombshell deportation plan for Afghan and Palestinian migrants (Image: Getty)
Reform UK said it will deport anyone who arrived under Shabana Mahmood’s refugee resettlement scheme if the party is elected. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said he will “immediately end” the scheme when he announces the policy next Monday, along with several other immigration plans. The Home Secretary reopened the UK Resettlement Scheme for new referrals on September 28, to provide “genuine refugees a safe and legal route to the UK”. Around a quarter of referrals will be for Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees, fleeing war and persecution, Labour said.
However, speaking to The Telegraph ahead of his speech, Mr Farage said: “Britain is not obligated to take in more migrants, and under a Reform government, these people will not be able to stay.” His severe plans will also revoke residents’ right to remain if they are not considered to be in danger in their home country.
Nations from across the world would be affected. Migration Observatory estimates suggest between 622,000 and 820,000 non-EU citizens had settlement status at the end of 2024, which did not include the approximately 4million EU citizens who were living in the UK before January 2021, and hold settled or pre-settled status.
Mr Farage will also announce a review of Britain’s Afghan resettlement schemes and pledge to publish their costs next week. This was designed to resettle Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government in exposed roles, as well as vulnerable individuals.
Reform has also escalated plans first announced in February for Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia. Mr Farage said Reform would impose tariffs on the countries if they refused to take back illegal immigrants and foreign criminals residing in the UK, speaking to The Times.
The party originally planned to impose strict visa bans for people legally seeking to visit the UK from these countries. Reform said it believes that tariffs may be more effective. The proposed list includes several of the countries with the largest numbers of asylum seekers in the UK in recent years.
Reform has plummeted in popularity after controversy surrounding its funding (Image: Getty)
The party will also conduct an audit of migration figures and publish a detailed breakdown of the number of people who have arrived in Britain since 2010, by nationality and route of entry.
Channel crossings have fallen this year. They reached a peak of around 46,000 in 2022. In the year ending June 2026, the number of detected arrivals fell to around 33,000.
Support for Reform has plummeted amid controversy over the party’s funding and a recovery in Labour’s popularity thanks to Andy Burnham’s arrival at Number 10. The party has fallen to second place in most polls, its lowest rating since December 2024.
