During a Washington summit, President Trump abruptly paused talks to phone Vladimir Putin, who reportedly had only 15 minutes left for the interview.
Trump Interrupts Summit to Call Putin
On Monday, August 18, a summit in the White House brought together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European coalition leaders, and U.S. President Donald Trump. Amid the discussions, Trump stepped outside to call Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to German newspaper Bild cited by Reuters. The meeting resumed after the brief phone conversation.
Putin’s 15‑Minute Window
U.S. Treasury Secretary announced on Fox News that Putin had very little time available. “I’ll give you a choice: ‘Call me or leave me a message,’” Trump reportedly told him. Putin replied, “Fine, I’ve got on my feet for another 15 minutes, or you can call me tomorrow.” The secretary took this as a sign that Putin was keen to hear what the President had to say.
Kremlin Confirms Agreements
The Kremlin, following the Washington summit, confirmed that Putin had assured Trump of readiness to hold talks in a Russia‑Ukraine and U.S. format. A phone call of roughly 40 minutes in total took place, during which the two leaders agreed on direct discussions with Zelensky, the possibility of elevating delegations in Moscow and Kyiv, and a continuance of contact on Ukraine and bilateral relations.
Future Meetings and Western Guarantees
Both sides pledged ongoing engagement on Ukrainian matters and U.S.–Russia relations. Although the exact date and venue for a future Trump–Putin call remain undetermined, Zelensky and his team are hopeful that such discussions can be arranged, signalling a potential next step toward peace and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Source: Gazeta,
