Monday Briefing: Trump and Putin Are Set to Talk

A resident next to his damaged home outside Kyiv yesterday.Credit…Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

Trump and Putin prepared to speak as Russia hit Ukraine

President Trump said that he would call President Vladimir Putin of Russia today to try to secure a cease-fire with Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed the two leaders would speak. Trump also said he would call President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, as well as leaders of NATO. Here’s what to know.

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor, told reporters yesterday that he had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and that Merz and the leaders of France and Britain were trying to speak with Trump before the call with Putin.

Trump and Putin’s call is coming as Russia hit Ukraine with one of its largest drone bombardments of the war. An estimated 273 exploding drones and decoys were recorded in the skies across Ukraine. One woman was killed and several people were injured.

Diplomacy: Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV yesterday in private, after the pope offered on Friday to host Ukraine-Russia talks at the Vatican.

Joe Biden in Chicago last month.Credit…AJ Mast for The New York Times