Trump to talk with Putin ahead of Zelensky meeting

In a notable diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The conversation gains added significance as it comes just one day before a crucial White House meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which could see a decision on supplying Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

A source familiar with the matter told Axios that the Trump-Putin call will focus on developments in the Ukraine war. The call follows a warning Trump issued last week, presenting Putin with two options: “either Russia engages in serious peace talks, or Ukraine receives Tomahawk missiles.” Trump is expected to convey this message directly, ensuring Putin understands the potential consequences ahead of Friday’s meeting with Zelensky. No official comment has yet been released by the White House regarding the planned call.

The diplomatic activity comes at a critical juncture in the conflict, as Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of the winter months. Meanwhile, Kyiv is pressing strongly for advanced weaponry capable of striking deep inside Russian territory. Washington appears to be using the prospect of supplying Tomahawk missiles as leverage to pressure Moscow back to the negotiating table.

The timing of the call underscores Trump’s aim to position himself as a key actor in managing the conflict, offering a final diplomatic opportunity before potentially taking major escalatory steps.

The outcome of Thursday’s call could mark a turning point in the Ukraine crisis, signaling either the start of a new negotiation track or the first deployment of American Tomahawk missiles to the battlefield, with significant implications for the war’s trajectory and international balance.