Putin says ready to jointly work out ways for lasting settlement in Ukraine with U.S

MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have had a phone call, the Kremlin press service said.

"The two leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation surrounding Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to Donald Trump for his striving to contribute to achieving the noble goal of ending hostilities and human losses," the press service said in s statement.

"Reaffirming his fundamental commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, Putin said that he stood ready to work jointly with his American partners on a thorough review of possible ways for a settlement, which should be comprehensive, sustainable and lasting and to take into account the unconditional need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis and Russia's legitimate security interests," it said.

"Putin and Trump also touched on other international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and in the Red Sea area. Joint efforts are to be made in order to stabilize the situation in crisis areas and to cooperate on nuclear nonproliferation and global security," it said.

"Trump supported Putin's idea to organize ice hockey matches in the U.S. and Russia between Russian and U.S. athletes playing for the National Hockey League and Kontinental Hockey League," it said.

"The presidents have agreed to keep in touch on all these issues," the statement said.