Trump-Putin call scheduled 'very soon' amid Russia-Ukraine war talks
Synopsis
Trump has confirmed a call with Putin is imminent — and says Washington is already in 'very deep discussions.' With the Russia-Ukraine war proving harder to end than he expected, the upcoming conversation could mark a pivotal moment in US-Russia diplomacy, or simply add to a long line of near-miss ceasefires.
Key Takeaways
Donald Trump confirmed on 7 October 2026 that a call with Vladimir Putin is scheduled 'very soon.' Trump said Washington was engaged in 'very deep discussions' and expected to share more details 'probably tomorrow.' Trump acknowledged the Russia-Ukraine war had proved more difficult to resolve than he initially expected, but said it was 'actually getting closer' to resolution.
Trump described Russia as the world's second-ranking military power in submarine terms, while asserting the US is '15 years ahead.' Any settlement would carry major implications for Ukraine , European security, and broader US-Russia relations.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on 7 October 2026 that a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for the near future, disclosing the planned conversation during a brief interaction with reporters upon arriving on Marine One. Trump indicated that Washington was engaged in what he described as 'very deep discussions' and suggested more details could be shared as early as the following day.
What Trump Said
When asked by reporters whether he had spoken with Putin and what the next US step would be, Trump confirmed: 'I have a call scheduled. Yup.' Pressed further on timing, he replied simply: 'Very soon.' Asked whether the call would take place within the week and what US intelligence agencies were saying about developments in Russia, Trump said: 'So far, we're in very deep discussions. We'll be able to report about it probably tomorrow.'
Trump's Broader Stance on the Russia-Ukraine War
Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end, though he acknowledged during separate remarks at Sparrows Point in Maryland on Monday that the conflict had proved more difficult to resolve than he initially anticipated. 'I ended eight wars. We haven't ended Russia, Ukraine yet. I'm working on that one. That one I thought would be the easiest one for me but we've ended eight wars and that's going to happen too pretty soon,' Trump said. He added that large numbers of people continued to die in the conflict but suggested the two sides were moving closer to an outcome: 'A lot of people dying in that war, it's ridiculous... but it's actually getting closer.'
US Military Posture and Russia's Standing
Trump also commented on relative military strength, describing Russia as the world's second-ranking military power in the context of submarine development while asserting a substantial US technological lead. 'We have the strongest military anywhere in the world. We have the greatest military equipment anywhere in the world, and it's not even close,' he said, adding: 'Russia's number two, but we're 15 years ahead of them in terms of submarine development.'
What Is at Stake
The Russia-Ukraine conflict remains one of the most consequential foreign-policy challenges facing Washington, with ramifications spanning US relations with Moscow, America's security commitments, and coordination with European allies. Any eventual settlement would carry major implications for Ukraine, Russia, European security architecture, and the broader relationship between Washington and Moscow. Trump has consistently pursued direct engagement with Putin as a central pillar of his diplomatic strategy to end the war.
Point of View
Trump's framing of Russia as 'number two' in military strength while simultaneously seeking to broker a ceasefire raises questions about the leverage Washington is actually applying. If the US is 15 years ahead in submarine development, the asymmetry that framing implies is not being converted into negotiating pressure — at least not publicly.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Trump-Putin call taking place?
Trump said the call is scheduled 'very soon' but did not specify an exact date. When pressed on whether it would happen within the week, he declined to confirm, saying Washington expected to share more details 'probably tomorrow.'
What are the 'very deep discussions' Trump referenced?
Trump did not elaborate on the substance of the discussions, describing them only as 'very deep.' He indicated more information would be made available following the scheduled call with Putin.
Has Trump made progress on ending the Russia-Ukraine war?
Trump acknowledged at Sparrows Point in Maryland that the conflict had proved harder to resolve than he initially expected. While he claimed to have 'ended eight wars,' the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains unresolved, though he suggested the two sides were 'getting closer.'
Why does the Trump-Putin call matter for Ukraine?
Any diplomatic engagement between Trump and Putin carries direct implications for Ukraine's territorial integrity and security guarantees. A settlement brokered by Washington would also reshape European security arrangements and US-NATO coordination.
What did Trump say about US and Russian military strength?
Trump described Russia as the world's second-ranking military power specifically in the context of submarine development, while asserting that the US is '15 years ahead' in that domain and possesses the strongest military equipment anywhere in the world.
