Putin and Trump Discuss ISS Crew Launch in Phone Call

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation, during which Putin congratulated Trump and the American nation on the 4th of July holiday, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The call marked the 14th conversation between the two leaders since Trump's return to the White House, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS.

Ushakov told reporters that the conversation included discussion of the upcoming joint Russian-American crew launch to the International Space Station, which is scheduled for July 14. The launch was described by both leaders as symbolic of the two nations' interest in cooperating across various spheres.

"The symbolic nature of the launch of the joint Russian-American crew to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in coming days was noted in the conversation," Ushakov said, adding that this serves as an example of the two powers' willingness to work together.