WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Alliance News): Voicing optimism about ending the war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed he had recently spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin after his Washington meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and key European allies.
Trump last spoke to Putin publicly on August 18, when he interrupted his White House talks with Zelensky and European leaders to place a call to the Russian leader. Asked if there had been further contact, Trump replied, “Yes, I have.”
“Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation. And then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace, and I get very angry about it,” Trump told reporters, reflecting frustration that progress at the negotiating table has yet to translate into peace on the ground.
On August 15, Trump and Putin held a landmark summit in Alaska aimed at finding a breakthrough to end Russia’s invasion.
After the later August 18 call, Trump announced that Putin had agreed to meet Zelensky directly, though Moscow has since denied plans for such a meeting. “Because he doesn’t like him,” Trump explained bluntly when asked about Putin’s reluctance.
Despite these setbacks, Trump insisted a settlement was within reach. “I think we’re going to get the war done,” he said, stressing that diplomacy remained the most viable path.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced that message by holding a joint call with Ukraine’s foreign minister and counterparts from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the European Union.
According to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, the ministers agreed to continue working “toward a lasting negotiated settlement” of the war.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani underscored the need for concrete security guarantees for Kyiv, drawing inspiration from NATO’s principle of collective defense.
He emphasized strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces and defense industry while offering Italian support for land and sea demining operations.
Trump last week suggested progress on security assurances, though he has consistently ruled out Ukraine’s membership in NATO, aligning with Russia’s long-held opposition.
As efforts intensify, Washington and European allies are betting on sustained diplomacy to pave the way for an endgame in Ukraine, with Trump’s direct line to Putin casting him as central to the process.
