Asked about President Trump’s phone call Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hegseth responded, “I was not on it, but those that were said it was a strong call, reaffirming, hopefully, the opportunity for some peace in Russia and Ukraine, and also a recognition that as pertains to this conflict, they should not be involved.”
Multiple outlets reported last week that Russia has passed Iran intelligence about the positions of US assets in the Middle East as Tehran tries to hit back against joint US-Israel strikes.
Trump told reporters Monday that while Putin “wants to be helpful” in ending the war with Iran, “I told him you can be more helpful by ending the war in Ukraine.”
