U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, following ceasefire discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the White House confirmed.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared an update on the conversation, stating, “Happening Now—President Trump is in the Oval Office on a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.”
Happening Now—President Trump is in the Oval Office on a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) March 19, 2025
The limited truce, which Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to on Tuesday, was meant to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure but has already been marred by fresh airstrikes from both sides.
However, just hours after the deal was announced, Ukraine reported a massive overnight assault, with its air force claiming to have intercepted 72 of 145 drones launched by Russia. Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry stated that its forces had shot down 57 Ukrainian drones, indicating that hostilities remain active despite diplomatic efforts.
Earlier, addressing the media in Helsinki alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelensky dismissed Putin’s assurances as insufficient and emphasized the need for international oversight. He stated that Ukraine would provide the U.S. and its allies with a list of critical energy sites, urging them to monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
