Trump to speak with Putin ahead of Zelensky visit: reports

President Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House, according to media reports.

The phone call between the two presidents, confirmed by an unnamed White House official, will occur the day before Zelensky meets with Trump, The Hill news outlet reported, as well as other media outlets. Trump is returning his focus to seeking an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, after reaching a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

Trump and Putin last met in Alaska in August, but there has not been any substantial progress toward ending the war.

On Tuesday, Trump criticized Putin’s war in Ukraine.

“I don’t know why he continues with this war,” Trump said of Putin. “He should have won that war in one week.”

“He just doesn’t want to end that war. And I think it’s making him look very bad,” Trump added. “I have to tell you, I give credit because who would think that Ukraine could have fought Russia for four years to essentially a standstill.”

In addition to meeting with Trump, Zelensky said he would meet with defense and energy companies, as well as members of Congress, during his visit to Washington, D.C.