President Donald Trump is playing a careful game of diplomatic chess, engaging with Ukrainian, European, and Russian leaders in turn to shape the outcome of the Ukraine crisis. A recent phone call with Vladimir Putin was his latest move.
The call to Putin was made after Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials at the White House on August 18. This sequencing allowed Trump to consult with allies before engaging with Russia.
The outcome of these maneuvers is a clearer U.S. position: Europe must lead on Ukraine’s security guarantees. Trump has pledged American support, but has specified it will be as “backup.”
Adding another layer to his strategy, Trump also revealed an earlier, direct meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15. That summit looked beyond the current war, to a future that could include reductions in their nuclear arsenals.