Western Leaders Coordinate with Trump Ahead of His Call with Putin
As diplomatic tensions over the war in Ukraine escalate, President Donald Trump held a joint call with the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy just hours before his scheduled conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks were aimed at forging a unified Western position ahead of a potential breakthrough in efforts to halt the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the call via social media, urging the Kremlin to demonstrate a sincere commitment to peace by agreeing to Trump’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Macron emphasized that the offer had already garnered support from both Ukraine and the European bloc.
British officials, speaking to Reuters, said the leaders reiterated the urgent need for Russia to cease hostilities without preconditions. They also discussed the possibility of imposing additional sanctions if Moscow fails to observe a ceasefire or refuses to engage in serious peace talks.
President Trump is expected to speak with Putin later today, followed by a call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. president is entering the conversation with the expectation of a “very successful” outcome.
The sequence of calls reflects a renewed push by Western powers to test Moscow’s willingness to de-escalate. While the Kremlin’s response remains uncertain, the diplomatic efforts signal a crucial moment of strategic alignment between Washington and key European capitals.
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