President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will hold a phone call with Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky, clarifying earlier statements that led to confusion about whether the call was intended for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has emphasized that the call is part of broader diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump’s administration has been working to facilitate direct conversations between Zelensky and Putin, with the hope of finding a resolution to the war. Earlier, there were reports suggesting Trump might have been referring to Putin, but this has now been corrected. The call is expected to take place in the coming days, with both leaders hoping to make progress on the ground.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Trump was asked about the two-week deadline he had previously given to Putin for meeting with Zelensky. Trump responded by stating that he would be holding talks with Zelensky ‘with him’ in the coming days to discuss steps toward resolving the Ukraine conflict. The White House later clarified that Trump referred to Zelensky and that the call was scheduled for the next day. Zelensky and European leaders had already expected a call from Trump on Thursday, indicating that diplomatic efforts are progressing.
Trump has been actively seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine since returning to the White House earlier this year. He held a summit with Putin in Alaska last month, which marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough. However, the three-hour talks did not result in a ceasefire or a formal peace deal. Despite this, Trump has continued to advocate for direct dialogue between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia, believing that such conversations could lead to a resolution.
Trump later met with Zelensky and several European leaders, urging direct talks between Putin and Zelensky. He warned that he could impose sanctions and tariffs on both Moscow and Kiev if no progress is made in resolving hostilities. Trump stated that he has good relations with Putin and that they would find out how strong their relationship is ‘over the next week or two.’ Putin, on his part, expressed optimism about the situation, saying he sees ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’ in efforts to resolve the conflict. He noted that he is ready to host Zelensky in Moscow but pointed out that the Ukrainian constitution provides no mechanism for extending Zelensky’s powers.