Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed "understanding" regarding proposals made by U.S. President Donald Trump to ease tensions in the war in Ukraine during a phone call between the two leaders, a Kremlin spokesperson said.

According to Russian news outlets TASS and RIA Novosti on October 10 (local time), Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters regarding the previous evening's phone call between the two heads of state, "The Russian president showed understanding regarding certain proposals put forward by the U.S. side concerning measures to ease tensions."

Peskov explained that at President Trump's suggestion, the majority of the call was focused on resolving the Ukraine issue.

Issues related to the war between the United States and Iran were also reportedly discussed.

Peskov stated that President Putin, in coordination with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, conveyed Iran's prospective initiatives for a possible resolution to the conflict with Iran to President Trump.

President Putin held two meetings with President Pezeshkian on October 9 on the sidelines of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit and the Caspian Sea environmental summit held in Turkmenistan.

During one of those meetings, President Putin informed President Pezeshkian that a phone call with President Trump was scheduled, Peskov added.

President Trump stated on social media Truth Social the previous day, "I have just completed a very successful discussion with President Putin," adding, "Russia has agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the U.S. and world markets, with an additional 500,000 tons in November, and 1,000,000 tons shortly thereafter."

Although the United States has banned imports of Russian energy since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the move is interpreted as an effort by Washington to stabilize energy prices ahead of the November midterm elections by temporarily lifting some sanctions on Russia to ease public discontent over high oil prices.

Critics have raised concerns that as President Trump partially eases sanctions on Russia to secure supplies of Russian diesel, Washington's stance of exerting pressure on Russia regarding the Ukraine war may be weakening.

In a statement released by the Kremlin, President Putin stated, "The Russian side reaffirms its readiness to supply crude oil and petroleum products to the U.S. and world markets."

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media X, "Easing sanctions without a clear and lasting agreement on de-escalation with Russia is a clear sign of 'weakness'," adding, "Peace does not come from weakness."

Meanwhile, airstrikes targeting each other by Ukraine and Russia continued on this day.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine stated that aerial bombs dropped by Russian forces struck residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia, killing at least 15 people, including 3 children, and injuring 16 others, according to the Associated Press.

President Zelenskyy also posted on X about the casualties, including children, caused by the Russian attack, writing, "Russia expressed its gratitude for the easing of diesel sanctions by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia," repeatedly expressing dissatisfaction with the agreement between the U.S. and Russia.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, said in a statement that Russian airstrikes on this day caused a massive blackout in the capital city of Kyiv.

In the Russian-occupied and controlled Luhansk region of Ukraine, local authorities claimed that a Ukrainian attack killed 4 civilians and injured 5 others.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)