On August 18 US time (early morning of August 19 Vietnam time), US President Donald Trump had discussions at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and many European leaders on the Ukrainian conflict.
Unexpected call to Mr. Putin
During talks with Zelensky and some European leaders at the Trump Department, President Trump called President Putin. The nearly 40-minute phone call was described by the Kremlin as complete and constructive.
President Putin's foreign adviser, Yury Ushakov, said the Russian leader "expressed support" for direct negotiations between the Russian delegation and Ukraine.
President Trump later wrote on social media that he had begun early steps for a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, at an undisclosed location. After this bilateral meeting, there will be an a tripartite conference with his direct participation. President Trump called it a very good start to a nearly four-year conflict.
Meeting at the White House
According to a White House official, the phone call took place while Trump was meeting with Zelensky and seven European leaders. After the call ended, the leaders continued to discuss in the leader only format. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after leaving the White House that the two sides had agreed quite a lot on many issues.
President Zelensky said he had a very good conversation with President Trump, which included discussions on security and humanitarian issues. The Ukrainian president affirmed that he is ready to welcome Mr. Trump's presence at a tripartite conference with Mr. Putin.
Security and weapons agreement
According to an informed source, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and his team have participated in preparing security plans for Ukraine ahead of a series of talks. European governments are also discussing the same issue.
The Financial Times reported that Ukraine has proposed a package to purchase $100 billion in US weapons, funded by Europe, in exchange for security guarantees from Washington after a peace deal with Russia. Kiev and Washington are also discussing a $50 billion deal to cooperate in the production of drones in Ukraine.
Moscow's reaction
Advisor Ushakov said Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump have discussed the possibility of upgrading their representative level in direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations. He also said the two sides agreed to maintain close contact and stressed that the conversation was very constructive. According to the advisor, Mr. Putin thanked Mr. Trump again for welcoming him during his previous visit to Alaska.
So far, neither Russia nor Ukraine have made an official comment on the plan announced by Mr. Trump. Trump also did not disclose the time or location of the meetings.
The talks at the White House have ended. Many European leaders were seen leaving, while the White House announced that there would be no more public events by the US President during the day.
