Putin–Trump Call Throws Diplomatic Curveball Ahead of Zelensky’s White House Meeting

A surprise phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin has unsettled Kyiv just hours before President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington for crucial talks on new US military aid.

The two leaders reportedly spoke for more than two hours on Thursday, agreeing to meet in Hungary within the next two weeks to discuss the war in Ukraine—a move seen by many analysts as a strategic play by the Kremlin.

The timing of the call, made while Zelensky’s plane was en route to the US, undercut expectations in Kyiv that the Ukrainian president’s meeting at the White House would deliver a breakthrough, particularly the long-sought approval for Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Kyiv’s Hopes and Moscow’s Moves

Ukraine has endured one of its heaviest bombardments in weeks, with dozens of missiles and over 300 drones striking key energy facilities and civilian infrastructure, crippling parts of the national power grid.

Despite the attacks, Zelensky expressed optimism before his departure, suggesting that Trump was beginning to “see the world through Ukraine’s eyes.” His confidence stemmed from Trump’s recent public frustration with Putin following the failed Alaska summit in August.

However, the latest Trump–Putin conversation appears to have shifted the tone. According to the Kremlin, Putin warned that the deployment of long-range US missiles to Ukraine would be viewed as a major provocation, while highlighting “colossal prospects for trade” if peace could be achieved.

A Blow to Ukraine’s Momentum

Zelensky, who landed in Washington on Thursday evening, tried to maintain composure, saying Russia was “rushing to renew dialogue” out of fear of potential US arms support. He later met with American defense manufacturers to discuss advanced weapons systems.

But doubts are growing about whether Trump will authorize the sale of the Tomahawk missiles, a move that could significantly boost Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russian territory.

Political observers see the phone call as part of a familiar pattern—each time Trump’s stance toward Putin hardens, a direct conversation seems to cool tensions and stall stronger action against Moscow.

“A Long-Range Curveball”

For Ukrainians facing their fourth winter of war, the diplomatic twist is disheartening. One woman injured in a Russian strike told the BBC: “A person like Putin can’t be trusted.”

With Trump offering a summit instead of stronger sanctions or new weapons, Ukraine’s hopes of shifting the battlefield balance have dimmed. As one analyst put it, “Never mind the Tomahawks — Ukraine has just been thrown a long-range curveball.”