President Donald Trump revealed that he’s speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin “now” ahead of his scheduled visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a post shared on his Truth Social account Thursday (October 16).
“I am speaking to President Putin now. The conversation is ongoing, a lengthy one, and I will report the contents, as will President Putin, at its conclusion. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.
Trump’s call with Putin was initially reported by Axios and confirmed to NBC News by two White House officials. The White House schedule has the president attending an intelligence briefing at 11:00 a.m. and appearing at an Oval Office event at 3:00 p.m. local time.
On Sunday (October 12), Trump told reporters that he “might have to speak to Russia” before giving Ukraine access to Tomahawk missile systems, suggesting that he could use the threat of the weapons as a bargaining chip to end Russia’s yearslong invasion of Ukraine. Trump is scheduled to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday (October 16), an administration official, a Western official and a Ukrainian embassy spokesperson all confirmed to NBC News earlier this week, while the president also appeared to do so.
“I think so, yeah,” Trump said when asked if he was hosting Zelenskyy as he addressed reporters on Air Force One.
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