The recent conflict between India and Pakistan, which saw heightened tensions and military exchanges, was reportedly discussed during a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump. According to a Kremlin aide, Yury Ushakov, the conversation included the Middle East and the India-Pakistan conflict, which he stated, "was stopped with the personal participation of President Trump."
This assertion, made on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, has sparked debate and differing viewpoints. While Ushakov did not provide specific details regarding Trump's involvement, his statement implies a behind-the-scenes diplomatic role played by the former US president in de-escalating the situation.
The conflict between the two nations escalated following a terror attack in Pahalgam, a tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22nd. The attack resulted in the deaths of numerous Indian nationals and a Nepalese tourist, prompting India to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7th. This operation involved precision strikes targeting alleged terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated with strikes of its own, further intensifying the already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Amidst the escalating tensions, both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10th, seemingly bringing an end to the immediate crisis. India has maintained that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries, dismissing claims of third-party intervention.
Trump, who has a history of claiming credit for de-escalating tensions in South Asia, particularly during his time in office, also alluded to his involvement. However, the Indian government has consistently asserted that the cessation of hostilities was the result of direct military dialogue between the two nations.
Adding another layer to the situation, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly sent a letter to President Putin seeking Russia's involvement in defusing the tensions. This request highlights Pakistan's desire for external mediation to help resolve the ongoing issues with India.
Following his call with Putin, Trump shared some details on his social media platform, Truth Social. He mentioned discussing the Ukraine war, Iran's nuclear program, and other global matters. While he acknowledged the conversation was "good," he didn't suggest it would lead to immediate peace in Ukraine. He also noted Putin's strong stance on responding to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian air bases and reiterated their shared view that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons.
The Kremlin's statement regarding Trump's "personal participation" in stopping the India-Pakistan conflict raises questions about the nature and extent of his involvement. While India credits military-level talks for the ceasefire, the Russian claim suggests a possible behind-the-scenes effort. It also highlights the complex interplay of international relations and the various actors who may seek to influence conflict resolution, even outside of formal government roles.
