Brussels – Early Saturday, US President Donald Trump engaged in telephone discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, focusing on his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a European Commission spokesperson. Reports indicate that Trump spoke with Zelensky for over an hour, alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reports 24brussels.
Following the summit, Trump claimed “great progress” was made, though no agreements were reached regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The talks reflect the persistent tensions surrounding the conflict, underscoring the complexities that have characterized diplomatic efforts in the region.
Trump’s communication with Zelensky was initially private, but he subsequently included the other European leaders in the discussions. This multi-leader conference underscores the continuing collaboration between the US and European nations regarding the situation in Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the discussion lasted for over an hour as Trump traveled back to Washington. This direct communication highlights the importance of Zelensky’s role in ongoing negotiations between the major powers involved in the Ukraine conflict.
What did Trump and Putin discuss during the Alaska summit?
During their meeting, which took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Trump and Putin greeted each other warmly before commencing their discussions. The talks lasted approximately two and a half hours and covered various geopolitical topics, with both sides failing to resolve the critical issues concerning Ukraine.
Each leader was accompanied by two advisers—Trump with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Putin with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign-policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.
At a joint press conference following their discussions, Trump committed to calling Zelensky and NATO officials to inform them about the meeting. “I’ll of course call our President Zelensky and inform him about today’s meeting,” Trump stated, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue.
In a Fox News interview, Trump indicated that responsibility for initiating talks on a ceasefire rested with Zelensky, while expressing optimism about a potential meeting between Zelensky and Putin. “They both want me there,” he remarked, underlining the necessity of US involvement in the dialogue process.
After their six-hour visit to Alaska, both leaders left without taking questions from reporters, with Putin portraying the discussions in a positive light even as substantial agreements remained elusive.
How does this summit compare with the 2019 G20 meeting?
Trump and Putin last met in 2019 at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, where they discussed a variety of pressing global issues, including trade relations and election interference. During that meeting, Trump humorously advised Putin against meddling in US elections, indicating the ongoing friction within their diplomatic relationship.
