Putin Calls Trump Before Zelenskyy’s Washington Visit: Coincidence Or Calculation?

Last Updated:October 17, 2025, 13:49 IST

The call, described by Russian officials as “held in an atmosphere of trust,” took place just as Zelenskyy was flying to Washington

The two leaders spoke for nearly two and a half hours on Thursday. (Image: AP Image)

For three years, the war between Russia and Ukraine has ground on with no end in sight, a war born out of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and sustained by shifting battlefield fortunes, geopolitical brinkmanship, and fractured diplomatic efforts. While Kyiv continues to seek decisive Western military support, a new element of suspense entered the equation this week: a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two leaders spoke for nearly two and a half hours on Thursday in what Russian officials described as “positive and productive" and “held in an atmosphere of trust."

The call came just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was flying to Washington to request, among other things, permission from the US to acquire long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.

So what happened during the Trump-Putin phone call, and what does it mean for Ukraine’s hopes, and Russia’s strategy?

Why Did Putin Call Trump Now?

The timing of the Kremlin’s outreach was far from accidental. The phone call, initiated by Moscow, came just as Zelenskyy was en route to Washington. Ukrainian officials believe that it was Kyiv’s growing momentum in securing long-range weapons, particularly Tomahawks, that prompted Russia’s intervention.

During the call, Putin and Trump discussed the war in Ukraine and agreed to explore a possible face-to-face meeting, which Trump later said on social media would take place “in an agreed upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this ‘inglorious’ war to an end."

CNN reported that President Putin used the opportunity to issue a stark warning: that supplying Tomahawks would not change the battlefield situation, but would damage US-Russia relations, something he knows Trump “values so highly." According to the report, Putin also praised Trump as a “peacemaker in the Middle East and beyond," referring to the US president’s recent success in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The phone call was seen by some observers as a bid by Putin to stall a possible shift in American strategy, one that seemed increasingly open to militarily pressuring Russia to the negotiating table. “Putin doesn’t want President Trump to lean into the strategy of trying to compel Russia to the [negotiating] table by imposing battlefield losses," George Barros, a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, told Newsweek.

What’s At Stake For Ukraine And Why Tomahawks Matter

Ukraine’s war effort, now entering its fourth winter, is under immense strain. In the 24 hours preceding the call, Russia launched dozens of missiles and more than 300 drones at various Ukrainian targets, according to BBC. These attacks, which once again hit civilian infrastructure, including the gas supply network, have led to nationwide power outages and worsening living conditions.

For Kyiv, the Tomahawk missiles could be more than just tactical tools. They represent a psychological and strategic shift in the war, a sign that the United States is ready to move beyond defensive support and into long-range deterrence. The Tomahawk is a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile widely used by the US military. It can travel over 1,500 kilometres and strike targets deep inside enemy territory, making it a significant escalation if transferred to Ukraine.

While the logistical deployment could still take months, the prospect of being able to hit high-value sites in Russia, including Moscow and St Petersburg, adds strategic pressure on the Kremlin.

Trump himself seemed to be leaning in that direction. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, he said: “Do they [Russia] want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so."

But with the surprise phone call, that momentum now appears to be on hold.

How Did Zelenskyy Respond?

Zelenskyy, who landed in Washington shortly after the Trump-Putin call, put on a brave face. In a post on his arrival, he suggested that Russia was “panicking," and said the Kremlin was “rushing to renew dialogue" because of the increasing talk around Tomahawk missiles.

However, Trump’s post about a potential meeting in Budapest caught both Ukrainian and American officials off guard, leaving many in Kyiv and Washington questioning the president’s direction.

“The Alaska summit didn’t produce any results, and it seems like President Trump is going to make the same mistake again," Oleksander Merezhko, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, told Newsweek. “Maybe Trump is playing some sort of a sophisticated diplomatic game. But on the surface it’s not clear, to put it mildly."

Why The Proposal For A New Trump-Putin Meeting Is Drawing Scrutiny

Trump and Putin are expected to meet again in what would be their second direct engagement since the Ukraine war began. Their earlier summit, held in Alaska in August, ended without a breakthrough. Russia made no concessions, and Ukraine was not part of the process.

The latest agreement to hold another summit has revived scrutiny of this diplomatic track. CNN reported that the next meeting is planned for Budapest, with Trump indicating it may happen within the next two weeks. It would follow preparatory talks between top US and Russian officials. Though intent has been signalled by both sides, final arrangements are yet to be confirmed.

Russia’s position remains unchanged. It continues to demand full control over contested Ukrainian territory and long-term restrictions on Ukraine’s defence and foreign policy. These goals were not revised during the recent phone call.

According to BBC, the two leaders also discussed what Moscow described as “colossal prospects" for trade if peace talks moved forward, though no specific roadmap was outlined.

With preliminary discussions expected next week, the key questions now are whether concrete terms for negotiation will emerge and whether Ukraine will be directly involved. So far, there is no confirmation of Kyiv’s participation.

Is Trump Going Soft On Putin Again, Or Just Keeping Options Open?

The Kremlin appears to be banking on Trump’s appetite for a diplomatic win, especially following his Gaza ceasefire success. “The war in Europe can also be brought to an end," Zelenskyy had said earlier in the week, “and for that, the leadership of both the United States and other partners is of utmost importance."

But the recurring pattern has not gone unnoticed. Each time Trump shows signs of frustration with Moscow’s intransigence, he is drawn back into dialogue with Putin. The proposed summit does not appear to mark a shift toward a tougher US stance. Instead, it is being viewed by some analysts as another example of Putin successfully redirecting Trump away from military escalation and toward another round of vague diplomatic engagement.

What Happens Next?

With Zelenskyy still expected to meet Trump on Friday, the immediate focus will be on whether the US president follows through on his earlier statements about arming Ukraine with Tomahawks, or if the proposed summit will once again delay any such decision.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, told Newsweek that discussions between Ukrainian and US officials this week focused on “strengthening Ukraine’s air defence, boosting the resilience of our energy sector, expanding long-range capabilities, and exploring additional sanctions on Russia."

But the Trump-Putin call, and the sudden revival of the summit track, has complicated that narrative.

For now, Russia’s objectives remain unchanged. Ukraine is still waiting for weapons. And Trump, once again, is placing his bets on diplomacy.

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