In a significant diplomatic move, President Donald Trump engaged in a direct phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the future of Ukraine, following consultations with Ukrainian and European leaders.
The call was placed after Trump’s August 18 meetings in Washington with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The White House talks were a critical step in coordinating the Western approach to establishing security guarantees for Kyiv.
During his briefing with reporters, Trump outlined the expected contributions from the U.S. and its allies. He suggested that Europe would be the principal guarantor of Ukraine’s security, while the U.S. would play a “backup” role.
Furthermore, Trump unveiled that his discussions with Putin are not limited to the immediate crisis. An earlier meeting in Alaska on August 15 included a conversation about a post-conflict scenario involving the reduction of their respective nuclear arsenals.
High-Stakes Calls: Trump Engages Putin on Ukraine’s Future
