Trump holds 'very productive' phone call with Putin before Zelenskyy meet

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he has had a "very productive telephone call" with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The call between two of the world's biggest leaders came as Trump was scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida later the same day.

"I just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia prior to my meeting, at 1:00 PM today, with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The meeting will take place in the main dining room of Mar-a-Lago. Press is invited. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT," Trump announced with a post on his Truth Social platform.

This came just about an hour before Zelenskyy and Trump wer set to meet in Florida to push forward efforts to end the war in Ukraine, even as major differences persist over territory and Russia continues heavy military pressure on Kyiv.

Ahead of the talks, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, firing hundreds of missiles and drones at Kyiv and other regions on Saturday.

The strikes disrupted electricity and heating supplies in parts of the capital. Speaking during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Nova Scotia, Zelenskyy described



the attacks as Moscow’s response to US-led peace efforts, suggesting Russia was trying to strengthen its negotiating position through force.

Zelenskyy has said he intends to raise several key issues during his meeting with Trump, including the future of eastern Ukraine’s disputed Donbas region and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya said Zelenskyy and his delegation arrived in Florida late Saturday.

The Florida talks come amid uncertainty over Russia’s willingness to accept any compromise.

Moscow has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine cede the entire Donbas region, including areas still under Kyiv’s control, and has objected to parts of the latest US-backed proposal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated on Saturday that Moscow would continue the war unless Ukraine agreed to a swift peace, as Russian forces reported further territorial gains.

Earlier this month, talks between Putin and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine were described as "constructive," but "no compromise" was reached on territorial concessions by Ukraine, senior Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said.