US President Donald Trump and European leaders hailed their virtual meeting on Wednesday as positive and constructive, with the German chancellor saying that Trump “largely shares” Europe’s objectives over the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was on the call, said that Trump had “expressed support” for getting a ceasefire before discussing security guarantees with Moscow, ahead of the US president’s meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that Trump “clearly” stated that Ukraine would be involved in any territorial negotiations.
Trump on Wednesday described the call as “very good” and “friendly,” and floated the possibility of a second meeting involving Putin and Zelenskyy.
The video call was seen as Europe’s last-minute attempt to persuade Trump not to cut a deal with Putin without Ukraine’s involvement.
The White House has downplayed expectations for Friday’s meeting, calling it a “listening exercise” for Trump.