Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have spoken to each other for the first time since their bust-up at the White House last month. The American and Ukrainian President spoke nearly 24 hours after Mr Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed the terms of a 30-day ceasefire deal for the Ukraine war.
The call between the two leaders lasted around an hour, with Mr Trump describing the call as « very good ». Writing on his Truth Social platform, the US President said: « Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. »
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said « we have never been closer to peace » and read out a US statement on the call, describing it as « fantastic » and « productive ».
The statement said the call « significantly helped » in efforts to bring the war to an end.
It included discussions on the situation in Russia‘s Kursk region and a suggestion by Mr Trump that the US takes ownership of Ukrainian power plants to ensure their security.
The Ukrainian President thanked the US for support, especially for the Javelin missiles first provided in Trump’s first term in office, and also asked for additional air defence missiles.
Further talks will take place in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, the statement confirmed, with discussions to include expanding a ceasefire to cover the Black Sea.
Mr Zelensky has not commented publicly following the call.
He earlier confirmed he would hear from Mr Trump on Wednesday afternoon as he attended a press conference in Helsinki during a visit to Finland.
The discussions come after Mr Trump and Mr Putin spoke for 90 minutes on Tuesday evening.
During the call, they reached a ceasefire agreement which included halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
However, hours later Ukraine reported several Russian drone and missile attacks targeting some of its energy plants, as well as hospitals and other sensitive targets.
Speaking at the news conference in Helsinki alongside the Finnish President, Mr Zelensky accused Mr Putin of breaking promises made during the call with Mr Trump.
He said the Russian leader’s words are « very different from reality ».
Mr Zelensky said: « Even this night, after Putin’s talk with Trump, when Putin allegedly said he had given the order to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy targets, 150 drones struck energy infrastructure and transport. »
The Ukrainian President also signalled he would not agree to a peace deal allowing Russia to integrate the eastern Ukrainian territories it has occupied since 2022.
Dmitry Peskow, the Kremlin spokesman, rejected allegations Mr Putin had ordered the attack and went on to claim Ukraine had instead breached the ceasefire, despite not taking part in the talks between the US and Russia on Tuesday, by launching an attack on an oil facility beyond enemy lines.
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