Trump called Putin before Zelensky’s visit, signaling possible aid deals tied to Ukraine talks.

President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 16, 2025, ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s scheduled White House visit. The call, confirmed by multiple sources, marks a significant diplomatic move as Trump prepares to host Zelensky, with expectations that U.S. military aid to Ukraine, including Tomahawk missiles, may be tied to progress in negotiations with Russia. While details of the discussion remain undisclosed, the timing suggests a strategic effort to balance relations with both Moscow and Kyiv amid the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.