Fact Check: "Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, stated that Putin expressed serious concern about the possible escalation of the conflict in the Middle East during the call."
What We Know
During a recent phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the escalating situation in the Middle East was a significant topic of discussion. According to Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Putin expressed "serious concern about the possible escalation of the conflict" in the region. Ushakov highlighted that this concern was part of a broader conversation regarding recent talks Putin had with the leaders of Iran and Israel, and he noted that the "dangerous escalation of the situation in the Middle East was naturally at the center of the exchange of opinions" (source-2).
The context of this call included discussions about military operations against Iran, which Putin condemned, warning of "unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East" (source-3). This indicates that Ushakov's statements reflect Putin's apprehensions about the ongoing tensions and their potential ramifications.
Analysis
The claim that Ushakov stated Putin expressed serious concern about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is supported by multiple credible sources. The statements made by Ushakov were reported consistently across various news outlets, including CBS News, ABC News, and South China Morning Post, which all emphasize the seriousness of Putin's concerns regarding the military operations and their potential fallout (source-1, source-2, source-3).
The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reporting on international affairs. They have corroborated Ushakov's statements, providing a consistent narrative regarding the call and the issues discussed. However, it is important to note that the framing of the situation can vary based on the outlet's editorial stance. For instance, some outlets may emphasize the geopolitical implications more than others, but the core facts remain consistent across reports.
Conclusion
The claim that Yuri Ushakov stated that Putin expressed serious concern about the possible escalation of the conflict in the Middle East during the call is True. This is substantiated by multiple credible reports that detail Ushakov's comments following the conversation between Trump and Putin, clearly indicating Putin's apprehensions about the situation.