‘He wants to make a deal for me’: Trump pauses talks with Zelenskyy, European leaders to call Putin

US President Donald Trump interrupted a meeting with European leaders and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday (August 18) to make a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding efforts to reach a deal on Ukraine, news agency AFP reported citing sources.

The Kremlin confirmed that Trump spoke with Putin for about 40 minutes in the middle of his meetings with Zelensky and European leaders.

The call took place while Trump was hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Commission, and NATO.

Earlier on Monday, Trump had said he would speak by phone with Putin, three days after their in-person meeting and following White House talks with Ukrainian and European leaders.

“I just spoke to President Putin indirectly and we’re going to have a phone call right after these meetings today,” Trump told reporters during his Oval Office meeting with Zelensky.

The US President added that “we may or may not have a trilat” with Zelensky and Putin.

Earlier, before European leaders joined Trump in the East Room, a hot mic captured a conversation between the US President and French President Emmanuel Macron.

“I think he wants to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal for me. You understand that? As crazy as that sounds,” Trump told Macron, seemingly referring to Putin.

A spokesperson for Putin, quoted by Russian media, confirmed the call. Several international outlets had earlier reported the conversation, citing unnamed sources close to the talks.

The call came earlier than expected, as Trump was not anticipated to speak with Putin until after his meetings with Zelensky and the European leaders had concluded. Details of the discussion remain unclear, with Russian media providing little information. Meanwhile, talks between Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders continue in Washington.