Trump dials Putin at end of Zelensky meeting to float 'idea' of Russia-Ukraine summit

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump dialed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, August 18, while hosting a major meeting with European leaders in Washington, DC.

The Republican leader sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven European heads of state, who pressed him for continued US support and sought to shore up relations amid the ongoing conflict. This followed Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska just days earlier, where the two discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump says arrangements are underway for Putin-Zelensky meeting

After his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share a summary of their discussions. Calling it a "very good meeting," the 79-year-old revealed that the talks concluded with plans for a follow-up session in the Oval Office.

He wrote, "During the meeting we discussed Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with a coordination with the United States of America. Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine."

Trump went on, "At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy."

"After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself. Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years," the MAGA leader added.

He also mentioned that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are now working closely with both Russia and Ukraine to coordinate next steps. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump concluded.

German Chancellor gives a brief about Putin and Trump's phone call

Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky within two weeks, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Speaking to reporters after high-level talks at the White House on Monday, Merz emphasized that Ukraine should not be pressured into surrendering the Donbas region to Russia, comparing such a concession to the United States being asked to give up Florida.

"The Russian demand that Kyiv give up the free parts of Donbas corresponds, to put it bluntly, to a proposal for the United States to have to give up Florida," Merz said.

He added that during a phone call, Putin and Trump "agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks."

Kremlin aide confirms Trump floated 'idea' of direct talks between Zelensky and Putin

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov also confirmed that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump discussed only the "idea" of holding direct talks between Russia and Ukraine during their phone call on Monday.

According to Russia’s state news agency Tass, "In the course of the further phone conversation, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump expressed support for the continuation of direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine."

During the conversation, they specifically explored, "In this regard, in particular, the idea was discussed that it would be necessary to study the possibility of raising the level of representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian sides, that is, those representatives who participate in the aforementioned direct negotiations."

Internet praises Trump for arranging meeting between Putin and Zelensky

Following Donald Trump’s Truth Social post in which he claimed to be arranging a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, reactions quickly poured in online, with many supporters offering praise.

One user referred to Trump as “our peacemaker,” while another wrote, “Always working for humanity 🙏🇺🇸.” A commenter expressed appreciation by saying, “Thank you Sir, for all your hard work to make peace! I know you will end this war as you have ended all these other conflicts started under Biden!”

Another supporter elaborated, “So proud, President Trump has established himself as a great leader, showing strength of his character which allows him to navigate successfully both conflict and adversity with grace and wisdom. He has restored American pride in millions of patriots.”

Some responses, however, took a more critical or controversial tone. One person commented, "It’s not my intent to be negative. I have very little regard for Zelensky. A meeting between Putin of Russia and Zelensky is an oxymoron. Putin is seasoned intelligence agent country administrator. Zelensky is a comedian, actor, and puppet of [the world elite]."

"You are so Presidential and Diplomatic. I call that bunch of Socialist Jew Haters very un diplomatic utterances," another comment read. 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.