U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone about a ceasefire in Ukraine for over two hours on Monday.
Writing in his Truth Social post, Trump said the latest talks with Putin "went very well."
He announced in the post that Russia and Ukraine would immediately begin negotiations for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict, with the conditions for the talks to be determined by the two parties themselves.
Putin described the conversation as "very substantive" and "very frank", calling it "very productive" and "highly constructive", according to release from the Kremlin on its official website.
Russia supports a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, while emphasizing the need to "identify the most effective ways towards achieving peace".
Putin noted that the resumption of peace talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations signaled the two sides are on the "right track".
According to the Russian President, the country agreed with the United States that it is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a potential future peace agreement.
The terms including settlement principles, the time frame for signing a potential peace deal, and a potential ceasefire for a certain period in case relevant agreements are reached will be outlined in that memorandum, said Putin.
He noted the key issue for the two sides is "to show their firm commitment to peace and to forge a compromise that would be acceptable to all parties".
He underscored Russia's position that the root causes of the conflict must be eliminated.
Prior to speaking to Putin, Trump also held a brief call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Ukrainian and U.S. officials.
In the Truth Social post, Trump also said he had briefed Zelenskyy and other European leaders after the call with Putin.
Trump, Putin hold two-hour phone talks over Ukraine ceasefire
Trump, Putin hold two-hour phone talks over Ukraine ceasefire
Trump, Putin hold two-hour phone talks over Ukraine ceasefire
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
