United States President Donald Trump said he is currently in direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin . He said the conversation is long and ongoing.

Trump added that both he and Putin would update on the content of the discussion after it was completed.

I am speaking to President Putin now. The conversation is ongoing, a lengthy one, and I will report the contents, as will President Putin, at its conclusion. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

(TS: 16 Oct 11:21 ET)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​...

— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 16, 2025

Trump's phone call with Putin on Thursday comes a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's scheduled visit to Washington.

According to information from Reuters and Axios, the communication between the two leaders is taking place as part of the Trump administration's new diplomatic effort to pressure Moscow to resume substantive peace talks.

Zelensky is expected to meet with Trump at the White House on Friday, seeking additional military support for Ukraine as the war enters its fourth year and both sides have stepped up their attacks.

Ukraine is asking the United States for long-range Tomahawk missiles, which would put Moscow and other Russian cities within range.

Trump has publicly stated that he will consider providing the missiles if Putin does not come to the negotiating table.

The Trump-Putin communication comes at a time of tension, as Russia launched a new massive attack with over 300 drones and 37 missiles in the early hours of Thursday, hitting critical energy infrastructure across Ukraine, according to Zelensky.

Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian electricity and gas facilities over the past three years, attempting to cause energy destabilization before winter.

At the same time, NATO is facing increasing airspace violations by Russian aircraft, which has heightened concern in European capitals.

Diplomatic sources report that Washington is attempting to create a dialogue window, without relaxing its support for Kiev.

Trump, who has pledged to end the war in Ukraine, appears increasingly annoyed with Putin for continuing the attacks, but at the same time seeks to use communication channels with Moscow to achieve a ceasefire.

The Trump-Zelensky meeting at the White House is considered crucial, as it will determine the next step in American policy on the Ukrainian front — either towards increasing military assistance or pushing for negotiations.