Did Trump Pause White House Discussions to Call Putin?
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Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, President Trump paused critical discussions with European leaders to contact Putin, aiming to arrange a vital meeting with Zelensky. Discover how these interactions could pave the way for peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Key Takeaways
- Trump's call to Putin follows critical discussions with European leaders.
- Trilateral meeting could be pivotal in resolving the Ukraine crisis.
- Security guarantees for Ukraine were a key topic during the discussions.
- Trump anticipates the release of Ukrainian prisoners after the meeting.
- Ongoing dialogue is essential for international stability.
Moscow, Aug 19 (NationPress) - US President Donald Trump revealed that he reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House. Trump indicated he has "initiated the arrangements" for a dialogue between the leaders of the two nations engaged in conflict.
According to CNN, Trump interrupted his meeting with Zelensky and the European leaders to speak with Putin, and the European officials did not take part in this conversation.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump stated that the venue for the upcoming meeting is yet to be finalized. He also mentioned that after the proposed gathering involving Zelensky and Putin, he would participate in a trilateral discussion with both leaders.
While addressing European leaders at the White House on Monday afternoon, Trump said he would propose the concept of a trilateral meeting to Putin. The Russian leader has previously expressed that he would only engage with Zelensky once the terms of a peace agreement were established.
Initially, Trump said, "we may or may not have a trilat," but he later asserted it was a question of "when, not if" he would meet with both Putin and Zelensky, adding, "I believe if we hold a trilat, there's a solid chance of potentially concluding the war."
Trump anticipates that Putin will agree to release over 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners following the trilateral meeting, although as of Monday afternoon, Russia had not confirmed participation in the meeting.
Earlier on Monday, Trump assured Zelensky that he would provide Ukraine with "very good protection and very good security" when asked about security assurances for Ukraine, which is a pivotal demand from Zelensky in return for a resolution to the conflict with Russia.
The European leaders who convened with Trump and Zelensky after their discussions included UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
A confidential meeting among Trump, Zelensky, and the European leaders commenced just before 3:30 p.m. EDT.
On Monday, Trump and Putin engaged in a "frank and highly productive phone call," as confirmed by a senior aide from the Kremlin.
Yury Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy advisor, noted that during the nearly 40-minute conversation, Trump briefed Putin on his discussions with European officials.
Ushakov mentioned that the Russian leader "showed support for direct negotiations" between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
The aide shared that the phone call was initiated by Trump, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
Trump and Putin also considered the possibility of elevating the representation levels in talks between Moscow and Kyiv, Ushakov stated, but he refrained from confirming whether Putin had agreed to a bilateral or trilateral meeting.
Putin expressed gratitude to Trump for hosting him during a prior trip to Alaska, Ushakov noted.
During their phone call, Putin and Trump agreed to keep close communication regarding urgent matters, as stated by the Kremlin aide during a press briefing.
Ushakov concluded, "Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump consented to maintain ongoing dialogue concerning the Ukraine crisis and other significant international and bilateral issues."
Trump remarked on Monday that reaching a peace agreement did not necessitate a ceasefire for Ukraine, as ongoing hostilities would not hinder the parties from negotiating a deal.
He also mentioned that security assurances for Ukraine were discussed during his White House meeting with Zelensky and the European leaders.
"In the meeting, we deliberated on security guarantees for Ukraine, which would be provided by various European nations in coordination with the United States of America," he posted on Truth Social.
Trump concluded, "Everyone is quite optimistic about the prospect of peace for Russia/Ukraine."
Point of View
We maintain an unbiased perspective, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement in resolving conflicts. This story highlights the intricate dynamics of international relations and the potential for peace through dialogue, underscoring the necessity of ongoing communication between world leaders.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason for Trump's call to Putin?
Trump called Putin to discuss arrangements for a potential meeting between Putin and Zelensky following discussions with European leaders.
Who were the European leaders present at the White House?
The European leaders included UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
What are Trump's expectations for the trilateral meeting?
Trump expects the trilateral meeting could lead to significant progress, including the possibility of releasing over 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners.
How did Trump assure Zelensky regarding security?
Trump assured Zelensky that the US would provide Ukraine with 'very good protection and very good security' as part of the ongoing discussions around security guarantees.
What did Trump say about the potential for peace?
Trump expressed optimism that if a trilateral meeting takes place, there would be a good chance of possibly ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
