In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has announced that he will be speaking with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday morning. The highly anticipated call, set to take place at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT), comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine.
Trump revealed the plans for the dual call during remarks to reporters on Saturday, stating, “The subjects of the call will be, I’m sure, the various items that we’ve been discussing.” While the White House has not provided further details on the specific agenda, the conversation is expected to touch on a range of geopolitical issues that have been at the forefront of international affairs.
Relations between the U.S. and Russia have been strained in recent years, particularly over the conflict in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Ukraine has been locked in a simmering war with Russian-backed separatists in the country’s eastern regions, a situation that has drawn concern from the international community.
The upcoming call with Putin and Zelensky represents a rare direct engagement between the U.S. president and the leaders of the two nations at the heart of the ongoing regional tensions. Trump has faced criticism from some lawmakers and foreign policy experts for his perceived soft stance towards the Kremlin, despite the implementation of economic sanctions against Russia.
However, the White House has maintained that the president is committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine. The conversation with Zelensky, in particular, is seen as an opportunity for Trump to reiterate U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
With the global spotlight firmly fixed on the situation, Monday’s high-level dialogue will be closely watched for any signs of progress or potential breakthroughs in the complex geopolitical landscape. As the world waits with bated breath, the outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for the future of relations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine.
