Trump lays out requirements for Zelensky to engage with Putin
In a significant development, President Donald Trump held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 18-19, 2025, following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The call was part of ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to Russia's war on Kyiv.
The bilateral talks between Putin and Trump took place in Alaska on August 15, as previously announced. During the meeting, Trump stated that Russia was ready for a deal on Ukraine. He also mentioned that he would call Zelensky if the talks with Putin were successful.
The White House chief later confirmed that he would indeed call Zelensky if he considered the talks with Putin on Alaska successful. The statement was made by Trump in an interview with Fox News Radio.
Shortly after the Alaska meeting, Trump welcomed Zelensky to the White House on August 18, 2025. The tone of the meeting was notably cordial compared to their last encounter in February. Zelensky thanked Trump for his personal efforts toward resolving the conflict.
Discussions during the meeting included European leaders who emphasized the necessity of security guarantees for Ukraine and a ceasefire before any further negotiations, including a possible trilateral meeting involving Trump, Zelensky, and Putin.
While specific details of the phone call's content have not been fully disclosed, it was part of ongoing diplomatic engagements following Trump's indirect communication with Putin, aimed at advancing peace talks. Trump mentioned having spoken "indirectly" with Putin and then quickly connecting with Zelensky to coordinate efforts.
In summary, the phone call was integrated within a broader diplomatic push involving coordinated conversations among all three leaders, with an emphasis on security guarantees for Ukraine and steps toward a ceasefire to facilitate further negotiations. The ongoing negotiations are a testament to the importance both leaders place on resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
[1] ABC News. (2025). Trump and Zelensky Hold Phone Call After Alaska Meeting with Putin. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/International/trump-zelensky-phone-call-alaska-meeting-putin/story?id=8912387
[2] CNN. (2025). Trump Confirms Phone Call with Zelensky After Meeting with Putin. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/19/politics/trump-zelensky-phone-call/index.html
The August 19, 2025 phone call between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a pivotal part of ongoing war-and-conflicts discussions, as it followed Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and aimed at advancing peace talks. The call was additionally part of politics, as it involved negotiations on a possible trilateral meeting with Putin, focusing on security guarantees for Ukraine and steps toward a ceasefire. (ABC News, CNN)
In addition to the phone call, Trump's bilateral talks with Putin in Alaska were also part of general news, as they covered European leaders' emphasis on security guarantees for Ukraine and a ceasefire before further negotiations. (ABC News, CNN)
