President Trump confirmed on Thursday that he was engaged in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This call occurred a day before Trump’s scheduled in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington D.C.
“I am currently speaking with President Putin,” Trump stated via his social media platform, Truth Social. He added, “The discussion is underway, it’s extensive, and both President Putin and I will share its substance once it concludes.”
Trump had initially hinted at a discussion with the Russian leader earlier in the week, following reports that the Ukrainian president was preparing for a U.S. visit aimed at obtaining long-range precision-guided Tomahawk missiles.
Securing these advanced Tomahawk missiles is a primary objective for Zelenskyy. Such sophisticated armaments could extend Ukraine’s strike capabilities significantly beyond Moscow, potentially altering its capacity to target a broader range of Russia’s military installations and its crucial oil industry, which substantially finances its conflict efforts.
The news of the Trump-Putin phone call surfaced mere hours after Ukrainian cities and energy facilities were subjected to intense Russian missile and drone attacks during the early hours of Thursday.
On X, Zelenskyy reported that over 300 drones and 37 missiles, a “considerable number of which were ballistic,” bombarded Ukraine, impacting areas near the front lines as well as the west-central city of Vinnytsia.
“Casualties have been sustained. Restoration operations are in progress across all affected areas. Emergency personnel are actively engaged,” Zelenskyy stated. He further claimed that Russian forces are reportedly employing “double terror” strategies by deploying Shahed drones equipped with cluster munitions to target firefighters and energy workers.
“Throughout this autumn, Russian forces have consistently targeted our energy infrastructure daily,” he continued. “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin remains unresponsive to global appeals, implying that only sustained pressure—through sanctions and the provision of long-range military capabilities—can effectively communicate with him.”
Zelenskyy is scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. on Thursday for meetings with President Trump, alongside defense and energy officials. The agenda focuses on intensifying pressure on Russia to counteract its military objectives in Ukraine.
Trump informed journalists earlier this week that discussions on Friday would also include other defensive assets, such as additional Patriot missiles.
Trump has refrained from confirming whether Ukraine will receive Tomahawk missiles. However, he has increasingly expressed his exasperation that Putin’s war ambitions persist, despite Trump’s diplomatic efforts since assuming office again in January.
Nick Rojas provided contributions to this report.