Putin, Trump discuss Ukraine over phone

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday held a telephone conversation that was "constructive and very frank," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said.

Ushakov said the call lasted exactly one hour, adding that during the conversation, Putin stressed that Russia has no hostile intentions toward European countries.

"Against the backdrop of speculation alleging that Russia holds hostile intentions toward European states, it was emphasized that we do not harbor any aggressive plans against Europe whatsoever. The circulated myths about a Russian threat serve as a cover for European nations to ramp up support for Ukraine and increase their own military spending," Ushakov said.

Ushakov said Trump, for his part, stressed the need to end the Ukraine conflict, a move that would immediately open broad and promising prospects for the full restoration of Russia-US relations.

The two sides agreed to continue efforts to resolve humanitarian issues, including the exchange of detained and convicted individuals.

When asked for further details, Ushakov said the conversation was strictly confidential.