Trump calls Putin after meeting with Zelensky

According to RIA Novosti on August 19, the Russian leader's assistant - Yuri Ushakov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had a phone call. The US leader informed his Russian counterpart about the results of negotiations with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and EU leaders.

"At the initiative of the US President, a telephone conversation took place between Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin," the Russian president's aide told reporters.

According to Ushakov, the conversation was “substantive and very constructive” and lasted 40 minutes. Trump and Putin spoke in favor of continuing direct negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. The presidents discussed the idea of ​​​​exploring the possibility of upgrading the representation of Moscow and Kiev in the negotiations. In addition, the two leaders agreed to continue communication on Ukraine and other issues.

Previously, at 1:30 p.m. on August 18 (Washington time, or 1:30 a.m. on August 19, Hanoi time), President Trump held talks with Mr. Zelensky and European leaders including: NATO Secretary General, President of the European Commission, British Prime Minister, French President, German Prime Minister, Finnish President, and Italian Prime Minister.

President Trump called the meeting “very productive.” He said the sides discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, which would be provided by various European countries in coordination with the United States.

Mr. Trump entrusted the coordination of interactions between Moscow and Kiev to Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.