- A call between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could occur as soon as tonight, according to Senator Marco Rubio.
- The potential discussion follows two productive conversations over the past 48 hours focused on Ukrainian defense capabilities and energy resilience.
- The diplomatic push comes as Trump positions himself as a mediator, having also recently spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire in the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict are accelerating, with Senator Marco Rubio announcing the possibility of a call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tonight. This development signals an intensification of back-channel diplomacy aimed at halting hostilities that have now stretched beyond three years.
The potential call follows two productive conversations between the leaders in the past two days, according to people familiar with the matter. These discussions have centered on Ukraine's long-range military needs, its energy sector resilience, and broader defense capabilities. The flurry of diplomatic activity suggests a significant push toward negotiation, even as fighting continues on the ground.
Trump met with Zelenskyy at the White House on October 17, reiterating his consistent push for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia rather than escalating arms transfers. "We have to stop the killing, and make a DEAL," Trump has publicly stated, framing the conflict as a humanitarian crisis requiring immediate de-escalation. Their teams have since been working on further preparations, though the Ukrainian embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the specifics of tonight's potential call.
The former president's approach emphasizes mediation, a stance underscored by his two-and-a-half-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before his meeting with Zelenskyy. This dual-track engagement suggests Trump is attempting to position himself as an intermediary, with plans reportedly in motion for Trump and Putin to meet in Budapest for further talks. The Budapest meeting, according to sources, might proceed without Zelenskyy's direct participation, raising questions about the format of any potential settlement negotiations.
In the recent discussions, Ukraine has specifically requested advanced U.S. long-range Tomahawk missiles, offering Ukrainian drones in exchange—a detail that highlights the ongoing military supply needs even within the context of ceasefire talks. This technological cooperation proposal underscores the complex balancing act between preparing for continued conflict and pursuing a diplomatic off-ramp.
The Trump-Zelenskyy relationship carries historic weight due to the 2019 phone call that led to Trump's first impeachment. That context adds a layer of political complexity to the current diplomatic efforts, though recent conversations have reportedly referenced these earlier exchanges when discussing current ceasefire efforts. The potential for U.S.-mediated peace is being welcomed by advocates for de-escalation, while critics question both its efficacy and the political motivations behind the involvement.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the location of a potential meeting between Trump and Putin. It is planned for Budapest, not Istanbul.