Trump Called Putin To Set Meeting With Zelenskyy (Live Updates)

Topline

President Donald Trump said Monday he called Russian President Vladimir Putin after holding meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House, adding he “began the arrangements” for a discussion between the leaders of the two warring countries.

(L/R) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks as French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump listen during a meeting with European leaders in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Key Facts

Trump said in a Truth Social post the location of the meeting is yet to be determined and noted that after the proposed gathering between Zelenskyy and Putin, he will join the two presidents for a trilateral meeting.

Trump paused his meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders to speak with Putin, CNN reported, adding the European officials were not present for the conversation.

Trump, speaking alongside European leaders at the White House, said in the afternoon he would float the idea of a trilateral meeting to Putin, who has said he would only meet with Zelenskyy after the details of a peace deal were negotiated.

Trump, who initially said “we may or may not have a trilat,” later said it was a matter of “when, not if” he would come together with Putin and Zelenskyy, adding, “I think if we have a trilat, there’s a good chance of maybe ending [the war].”

Trump expects Putin to release over 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners following the trilateral meeting, though Russia has not accepted the meeting as of Monday afternoon.

Earlier Monday, Trump told Zelenskyy he would give Ukraine “very good protection and very good security” when asked about security guarantees for Ukraine, a key demand Zelenskyy is seeking in exchange for an agreement to end the war with Russia.

What European Leaders Were At Monday’s Meetings?

European leaders who met with Trump and Zelenskyy after their sitdown included U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. A closed-door meeting between Trump, Zelensky and the European leaders began just before 3:30 p.m. EDT.

What Happened At Trump’s Meeting With Putin Last Week?

Monday’s meetings come after Trump and Putin held discussions in Alaska on Friday that ended without a ceasefire agreement. Trump and Putin offered minimal details of their talks, though Trump said Saturday on Truth Social he is now calling for a “peace agreement” to end the war “and not a mere Ceasefire.”

Chief Critic

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not approve of NATO troops in Ukraine as part of security guarantees, according to The New York Times. NATO members have provided weapons and training support for Ukraine but have stopped short of deploying troops within the country, which is not a NATO member.

Key Background

Trump softened his rhetoric toward Putin after their meeting Friday, expressing support for Putin’s preference to end the war instead of a ceasefire. Trump also walked back his promise for “severe consequences” if Putin didn’t agree to end the war, telling Fox News he did not think sanctions were necessary. Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy comes after their last Oval Office sitdown devolved into a shouting match between the Ukrainian leader and Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who accused him of being ungrateful for U.S. support and “disrespectful” to Trump.