President Donald Trump has engaged in a diplomatic blitz focused on the Ukraine crisis, holding meetings with Ukrainian and European leaders before following up with a direct phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The intensive diplomatic efforts saw Trump host President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on August 18. The primary goal was to discuss the framework for future security guarantees, an issue of critical importance for Kyiv.
Following these discussions, Trump reached out to Putin. He later told reporters that his message to allies and adversaries alike is that Europe should be in the driver’s seat for Ukraine’s security. He promised U.S. involvement, but framed it as a “backup” role.
Adding a significant dimension to his talks with Russia, Trump also disclosed an earlier face-to-face meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15. A key takeaway from that summit was a mutual discussion on reducing nuclear arsenals post-conflict.
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