Trump and Putin speak one day before the Ukrainian president's visit

On Thursday, October 16, in the evening Central European Time, a telephone conversation will take place between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump announced this on his social network Truth Social, adding that the conversation was already underway and was expected to last longer.

He added that both heads of state would provide information about the content of the conversation after it was over.

The phone call will take place one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House. Zelensky wants to discuss further military aid for Ukraine with Trump, including possible deliveries of American Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Trump has long emphasized that he wants to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. At the same time, however, he has increased pressure on Moscow following a series of new attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. According to President Zelensky, Russia fired more than 300 drones and nearly 40 missiles last night, hitting energy infrastructure.

(reuters, sie)