Trump speaks with Putin after Pentagon stops missile shipments to Ukraine

WASHINGTON — President Trump was speaking Thursday morning with Russian President Vladimir Putin – two days after the US cut off air defense missiles and other weapons to Ukraine, citing low American stockpiles.

“Will be speaking to President Putin of Russia at 10:00 A.M. Thank you!” Trump wrote on Truth Social 20 minutes before the scheduled chat.

Prior conversations with Putin have been coupled with calls by Trump to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an attempt to broker an end to fighting between the countries.

Trump placed the call as the House of Representatives is on the cusp of passing a bill stuffed with major campaign promises — including to cut taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits – and a week after he brokered a cease-fire between Israel and Iran, days after bombing Tehran’s key nuclear sites.

Trump recently has been pessimistic about solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict – likening the nations to children during a White House visit last month by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

“Sometimes you see two young children fighting like crazy,” Trump said. “They hate each other, and they’re fighting in a park, and you try and pull them apart. They don’t want to be pulled. Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart.”