European diplomacy is in overdrive. As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares for a private phone call with Vladimir Putin, leaders across Europe are racing to get to him first, hoping to shape the American approach before Trump and the Kremlin speak directly.

This will be the first confirmed conversation between Trump and Putin in nearly three months, coming at a time when peace talks over Russia’s war in Ukraine are stalled and Ukraine is facing its largest drone attack since the war began.

📞 Europe Tries to Reach Trump Before He Dials Putin

French President Macron, German Chancellor Merz, and British Prime Minister Starmer have scheduled a joint call with Trump — their second since Friday — as part of an urgent effort to prevent him from taking unilateral action that could sideline Ukraine from future negotiations.

“We believe in meaningful progress,” said Merz, “but it must be coordinated.” European leaders fear Trump might pursue his own deal with Russia, leaving Kyiv out of the equation.

🇺🇸 Trump: “No Peace Deal Without Me”

Putin, for his part, has refused to meet personally with Zelenskyy, despite earlier signaling a willingness to do so. Last week, he canceled a planned meeting in Turkey without explanation and insists that talks must follow his terms.

Meanwhile, Trump publicly declared, “I’ve always believed there can be no peace deal without me,” justifying his upcoming direct call with Putin.

After the Kremlin call, Trump is expected to speak directly with President Zelenskyy. On Sunday, Zelenskyy traveled to Rome, where he met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It was a calmer exchange than their tense February encounter in Washington.

Zelenskyy used the meeting to highlight the failed Istanbul negotiations, claiming Russia had sent “a low-level delegation with no decision-making power.” He reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to engage in serious diplomacy and called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

📃 Lavrov Prepares Russia’s Terms, U.S. Sets the Timeline

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Rubio that Moscow is preparing a document outlining its conditions for a ceasefire. But Rubio was blunt in an interview with CBS: “We don’t want to be part of endless conversations.”

“There must be real progress,” he said. U.S. engagement, he stressed, depends on whether both sides show genuine willingness to compromise. “If a deal is on the table within days, we’ll stay in. If not, we may reconsider.”

That’s raised alarm in Kyiv, where leaders fear the U.S. could scale back military support if diplomacy stalls — giving Russia more room to maneuver. Zelenskyy is staying close to every development, including joining last Friday’s call with Trump and EU leaders.

At a separate meeting in Rome, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the upcoming week would be “critical” for peace progress. She didn’t offer details but warned time is running out before talks collapse again.

🛡️ While Diplomacy Talks, Russia Advances on the Battlefield

Despite the flurry of diplomacy, Russia has ramped up military pressure. Over the weekend, Ukraine’s air force reported 273 drones and decoys launched by Russian forces — the largest drone barrage since the war began.

Ukrainian officials believe this was a deliberate attempt to exhaust air defenses ahead of potential peace negotiations.

🕊️ Summary: A War of Words Before the Next Step

Trump, Putin, Zelenskyy, and Europe’s top leaders are entering a decisive phase — one that could push Ukraine closer to peace or plunge it into deeper conflict. Europe wants a seat at the table, but Trump holds the phone, and Putin holds the terms. Now, it’s about who speaks first — and to whom.



#TRUMP , #putin , #Geopolitics , #globaleconomy , #worldnews

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