Kathrine Frich
He did say early in the meeting that he would call Putin afterwards.
He did say early in the meeting that he would call Putin afterwards.
Trump Halts Ukraine Talks to Call Putin Mid-Summit
Donald Trump abruptly paused a major meeting with European leaders in Washington to make a phone call to Vladimir Putin, according to Germany’s Bild.
The call reportedly took place in a separate part of the White House while the summit continued behind closed doors.
Zelensky Not Invited to Alaska Summit with Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was notably absent from last Friday’s Alaska summit between Trump and Putin.
The Russian leader received a red carpet welcome and military flypast, while Zelensky was left out of the talks entirely.
Zelensky and Trump Hold Oval Office Talks
Zelensky met Trump at the White House yesterday, three days after Trumps meeting with Putin.
He called the talks “constructive” and said they addressed “sensitive matters” like security guarantees.
Trump added: “People are being killed and we need to stop that.”
European Leaders Caught Off Guard by Trump’s Putin Call
European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, were left waiting during the call.
Trump had earlier promised to call Putin after their meeting, not during it.
Calls for Ceasefire Grow Louder in Washington
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Trump: “Let’s work on that and let’s try to put pressure on Russia.”
Macron also stressed the need for a ceasefire, calling the situation a “matter of security for all of Europe.”
Meloni and Von der Leyen Push for Long-Term Peace
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni said peace depends on ensuring “it won’t happen again.”
Ursula von der Leyen added that returning abducted Ukrainian children must be a top priority: “Every single child should go back to its family.”
‘More Progress in Two Weeks Than Three Years’
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb noted momentum:
“We have a long border with Russia,” he said, “but I feel there’s been more progress made on Ukraine in two weeks than in the past three years.”
Trump: “It’s Never the End of the Road” on Ukraine
When asked if U.S. support for Ukraine was coming to an end, Trump said:
“I can never say that. It’s never the end of the road.” He described the day’s meeting as “very important” and reaffirmed his desire to stop the war.
