Trump Confirms New Putin Talks After Meeting Europeans

US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he had spoken with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin following his recent meeting in Washington with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders.

Trump was last known to have spoken with Putin on August 18, when he interrupted discussions with Zelensky and European officials at the White House to place a call to the Russian leader.

When asked by reporters if he had spoken to Putin again, Trump replied: “Yes, I have.” Asked how the latest talks went, he added: “Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation. And then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace, and I get very angry about it.”

Trump and Putin also held a landmark summit in Alaska on August 15 aimed at advancing efforts to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

After their August 18 call, Trump said Putin had agreed to meet with Zelensky, though Moscow has since denied any plans for such a meeting. “Because he doesn’t like him,” Trump remarked when asked about Putin’s reluctance.

Despite the uncertainty, Trump said he remained confident that an end to the war was possible. “I think we’re going to get the war done,” he told reporters.

Following Trump’s talks with Zelensky and European leaders, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to maintain discussions with allies on a potential settlement.

According to the State Department, Rubio spoke jointly on Monday with Ukraine’s foreign minister and his counterparts from Britain, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the European Union. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to “continue cooperation in diplomatic efforts to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end through a lasting negotiated settlement,” spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also emphasised the need for credible security guarantees for Ukraine, echoing NATO’s principle of collective defence. He highlighted strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces and defence industry and said Italy was ready to contribute to demining operations by land and sea.

Trump, while offering vague assurances to Zelensky on security guarantees, has repeatedly opposed Ukraine’s membership in NATO, a stance aligned with Russia’s position.