The call took place the day before Zelensky went to the White House; the presidents also agreed to meet in Hungary
The presidents of the United States, Donald Trump (Republican), and Russia, Vladimir Putin, spoke by telephone this Thursday (16.Oct.2025). The call lasted about two hours, according to the White House, and focused on negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and the future of the trade relationship between Washington and Moscow.
The conversation took place 1 day before the meeting between the American leader and Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House. Trump announced that he will also meet Putin in person in Budapest (Hungary). The date was not disclosed.
“I have just concluded my telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and it was very productive. President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the great achievement of peace in the Middle East, something that, according to him, had been dreamed of for centuries. I truly believe that success in the Middle East will help in our negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine”Trump on his Truth Social profile.
The Republican also said that Putin praised his efforts for peace in the Gaza Strip and thanked First Lady Melania Trump for leading negotiations to ensure the well-being of Ukrainian children affected by the conflict that has lasted more than 3 and a half years.
Ahead of the meeting between Putin and Trump in Hungary, the US president appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead high-level talks with Russian negotiators starting next week. Trump did not say whether these rounds will be held in person or via videoconference.
Here is Trump’s full statement:
“I have just concluded my telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and it was very productive. President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the great achievement of peace in the Middle East, something he said had been dreamed of for centuries. I truly believe that success in the Middle East will help in our negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. President Putin thanked the First Lady, Melania, for her involvement with children. He was very grateful and said this will continue. We also spent a lot of time talking about trade between Russia and the United States after the end of the war with Ukraine. At the end of the call, we agreed that there will be a meeting of our high-level advisors next week. The initial U.S. meetings will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with several other people to be designated. O meeting location has yet to be defined. President Putin and I will meet at a prearranged location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can put an end to this “inglorious” war between Russia and Ukraine. President Zelensky and I will meet tomorrow [17.out], in the Oval Office, where we will discuss my conversation with President Putin and much more. I believe that today’s telephone conversation [16.out] has been great progress.”
