Trump starts phone call with Putin
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is holding a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the evening of October 16, according to Trump's post on his Truth Social.
"I am speaking to President Putin now. The conversation is ongoing, a lengthy one, and I will report the contents, as will President Putin, at its conclusion. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote.
What exactly the US President is discussing with the Russian leader is currently unknown. American media outlets that reported the start of the call even before Trump's post did not provide any details.
It is worth noting that the US media had already reported before the call that Trump planned to speak with Putin before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington. However, the topics of the discussion between the US leader and the Russian President were not disclosed.
This is not the first time Trump has spoken with Putin ahead of or even during visits by Ukrainian or European allies. After the White House meeting on August 18, which included Zelenskyy and European allies, Trump called Putin to arrange a leaders-level meeting. Initially, Russia supported the idea and agreed to a bilateral meeting, but later, due to Kremlin sabotage, those plans were canceled.
Zelenskyy and Trump meeting: details
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington on Friday, October 17. The leaders will discuss providing Ukraine with long-range weapons, primarily Tomahawk missiles.
Trump will also discuss Ukraine's plans to launch an offensive with Zelenskyy. Trump believes Ukraine is capable of launching an offensive, while Zelenskyy thinks that Russia's autumn offensive in the east is likely the last military operation Russia will be able to carry out. Next year, peace talks may be possible.
