Von der Leyen warns Trump about Putin threat, Politico reports

In July, during one of the attacks on Kyiv, Russians hit the EU delegation building. According to the media outlet, von der Leyen called Trump directly after the incident.

EU officials familiar with the call said she told Trump: "This is what Putin is capable of. Here's a clear example of how Putin isn't keeping his word."

Politico writes that the fact von der Leyen and Trump communicate directly is increasingly geopolitically significant. At the start of Trump's second term, EU officials feared he would be sidelined from important diplomacy on the war in Ukraine, as the US President was seen as supporting the Kremlin.

"But something has shifted since June, and the two leaders are now in regular contact. Trump is lavishing von der Leyen with compliments such as 'fantastic' and 'tremendous,' and European diplomats think the chemistry between the two is playing a role in Trump’s souring stance on Putin," the media outlet wrote.

According to Politico, Trump's sharp shift in tone toward Russia, which he called a "paper tiger" unable to match the "great spirit" of Ukrainians, came after conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and von der Leyen.

A source also told the media outlet that Trump's pro-Ukraine post on Truth Social was published after his conversation with von der Leyen about sanctions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also present. According to the official, the discussion primarily focused on increasing pressure on Russia.

"Von der Leyen made it clear how determined we are to continue pressuring Russia," the Politico source added.

The media outlet writes that Trump hesitates over his favorites in Europe. This may indicate that von der Leyen will need to make serious concessions to the US, especially regarding trade or major tech companies. However, she succeeded in securing EU participation in talks on Ukraine.

Another EU official said the turning point in the relationship came at the G7 summit on June 16-17 in Canada, where von der Leyen and Trump held a bilateral meeting and discussed a trade deal between the EU and the US.

"After that, contacts ramped up," said the first EU official.

European diplomats acknowledge that the trade deal with the US was unfavorable for the EU, but Ursula von der Leyen’s negotiation style impressed even Donald Trump. He remembered her firm stance and, during the next meeting in Washington, joked: "I think you might be more powerful than all these guys at this table," addressing her in front of European leaders.

According to Politico, the message was clear: Brussels is strengthening its transatlantic voice, and von der Leyen is increasingly becoming Trump's key interlocutor. For Europe, which seeks to speak with a unified voice, it is important to have someone capable of reaching him directly.

Earlier, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social that Ukraine could reclaim all territories temporarily occupied by Russia.