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President Donald Trump mentioned he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday, after assembly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on the White Home, to start coordinating subsequent steps within the peace course of geared toward ending the warfare in Ukraine.
The president posted on his Fact Social platform Monday night saying that he had referred to as Putin on the conclusion of a day of conferences to start “the preparations for a gathering” between the Russian president and his Ukrainian counterpart. Trump’s name to Putin mirrored his resolution to name Zelenskyy following Friday’s Alaska summit with Putin.
“On the conclusion of the conferences, I referred to as President Putin, and commenced the preparations for a gathering, at a location to be decided, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump confirmed, following media reviews hinting on the name.
TRUMP: ZELENSKYY MEETING NOT ‘END OF THE ROAD’ FOR US SUPPORT IN SECURING PEACE DEAL
Trump coordinates Putin-Zelenskyy talks after White Home conferences on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Getty Photographs)
The president added that after the assembly between the 2 warring presidents, there can be a trilateral assembly with the US as effectively.
“After that assembly takes place, we may have a Trilat, which might be the 2 Presidents, plus myself,” the president continued. “Once more, this was an excellent, early step for a Warfare that has been occurring for nearly 4 years.”
Yury Ushakov, a high aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentioned Trump and Putin had been on the telephone for about 40 minutes and held a “candid and really constructive” dialogue, in response to CNN.
Putin “expressed help for direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine,” Ushakov reportedly added.

President Donald Trump mentioned he’s engaged on brokering a gathering between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following Monday’s peace talks in Washington, D.C., with European leaders. (Reuters )
TRUMP SAYS CEASEFIRE NOT NECESSARY FOR PEACE DURING HIGH-STAKES MEETING WITH ZELENSKYY
Officers accustomed to Monday’s talks additionally reportedly mentioned Trump’s name to Putin got here in-between talks with the European leaders current on the White Home. In the meantime, a type of leaders, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reportedly mentioned Putin agreed within the name with Trump to satisfy Zelenskyy in two weeks.
Earlier within the day, Trump was caught in a hot-mic second telling French President Emmanuel Macron that Putin desires to discover a decision to carry the warfare in Ukraine to an finish for him.

President Donald Trump sits subsequent to French President Emmanuel Macron throughout a gathering with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and different European leaders on the White Home on Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Photographs)
“I believe [Putin] desires to make a deal,” Trump whispered to Macron within the East Room as they had been making ready for Monday’s talks. “I believe he desires to make a deal for me, you perceive that? As loopy because it sounds.”
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Following Monday’s talks, Zelenskyy thanked Trump and all the opposite leaders current in D.C. for his or her work in attempting to carry peace to his nation, noting that the talks had been “lengthy and detailed.”
“Immediately, essential negotiations befell in Washington. We mentioned many points with President Trump. It was a protracted and detailed dialog, together with discussions concerning the scenario on the battlefield and our steps to carry peace nearer,” Zelenskyy mentioned in a publish on X Monday evening.
“We admire the essential sign from the US relating to its readiness to help and be a part of these ensures. A whole lot of consideration immediately was given to the return of our kids, to the discharge of prisoners of warfare and civilians held by Russia. We agreed to work on this,” Zelenskyy continued. “The U.S. President additionally supported a gathering on the degree of leaders. Such a gathering is important to resolve delicate points.”
Fox Information Digital reached out to the White Home for touch upon this however didn’t obtain a response.