Trump Initiates Direct Talks Between Putin and Zelenskyy, Plans Trilateral Meeting to End Ukraine Conflict

Washington, D.C: US President Donald Trump on Monday took a major diplomatic step toward resolving the nearly four-year-long Russia-Ukraine conflict by calling Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately after a series of high-level meetings at the White House. The call followed Trump’s private session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussions with European leaders, signaling a push for direct negotiations between the two warring nations.

Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, writing, “At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, the two Presidents, plus myself.”

According to Russian reports, the phone conversation lasted 40 minutes, during which both leaders discussed elevating the level of official negotiations and agreed to maintain close contact on the crisis. Trump described the initiative as “a very good, early step for a war that has been going on for almost four years.”

European leaders attending the White House summit—French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte—discussed coordinated Security Guarantees for Ukraine. Trump emphasized the US would play a central role alongside European partners in supporting peace efforts.

Finnish President Stubb said Trump’s outreach to Putin was a “good idea,” while German Chancellor Merz noted that Putin has agreed in principle to meet Zelenskyy within the next two weeks.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy praised his Oval Office discussion with Trump as their most productive so far: “It was the best conversation I’ve had with President Trump yet.”

Trump also confirmed that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will coordinate ongoing diplomatic efforts with Russian and Ukrainian officials.

On the possibility of trilateral talks involving himself, Trump stated, “It’s an early step, but an important one for peace.” Analysts see the developments as a significant attempt to revive dialogue and bring both sides closer to a negotiated settlement.