United Nations, Mar 20 (UNI) Australian activist and member of the Global Peace movement Helen Caldicott expressed hope in a comment to RIA Novosti that the telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will lead to the establishment of a lasting peace.

"But it is rare indeed for an American President to confer directly with Putin and I am hoping that these discussions will lead to a permanent peace in the near future. This gives me hope for the future, for it can never be forgotten that both superpowers are armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons on hair trigger alert, and if used, would destroy most life on the planet," Caldicott said.

She noted she was "very pleased" that the US president reached out to his Russian counterpart with the aim of ending the conflict in Ukraine, and added that many of the further issues they will have to discuss will be difficult, including NATO.

"Non-proliferation is vital but so too is the pressing need for the two superpowers to set an example by leading the world towards the abolition of nuclear weapons from their own arsenals which would encourage other nuclear armed nations to do the same," Caldicott said.

During a phone call on Tuesday, Putin and Trump discussed the settlement of the Ukraine conflict and expressed mutual interest in normaliing relations in light of their special responsibility for ensuring security and stability in the world, the Kremlin said.

The Kremlin added that during the call, Putin agreed to Trump's proposal that the parties to the conflict cease attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days.

UNI SPUTNIK ARN