European Leaders to Join Zelenskyy–Trump Call on Wednesday, Germany Confirms
European leaders are set to join a joint call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to the German government.
Speaking at the White House, Trump described his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a feel-out meeting” but stressed that he would urge Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
“I’m going in to speak to Vladimir Putin and tell him, ‘You’ve got to end this war,’” Trump said. “I hope for a constructive conversation, and I’ll be briefing European leaders immediately afterward.”
Trump said he would also speak directly with Zelenskyy following the meeting, hinting at the possibility of arranging talks between Zelenskyy and Putin with himself present “if needed.”
However, the U.S. president expressed frustration over Zelenskyy’s position, criticizing him for requiring constitutional approval for potential land swaps while having the authority to conduct the war. Trump acknowledged such swaps could be part of a future peace settlement, calling the situation “very complex” and involving both “good and bad” outcomes for Ukraine and Russia.