Putin, Trump back continuation of direct Russia-Ukraine talks: Kremlin

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump voiced support for continuing direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in a phone call, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on Tuesday.

The call was initiated by Trump following his meetings at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders, Ushakov said.

He said that Trump and Putin also discussed the idea of raising the level of representatives participating in the talks.

"Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed to maintain close contact with each other on the Ukrainian issue and other pressing topics on the international and bilateral agenda," Ushakov said, describing the phone call as "frank and constructive".