Putin to speak with Trump on phone today, Trump-Zelensky call likely on Friday

A phone call between US leader Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was being prepared and could take place Friday, AFP reported quoting a senior Ukrainian official.

"A conversation is being prepared, we are hoping for Friday, but it all depends on the schedules of both presidents," the source told AFP.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would speak with Trump on the phone Thursday, their first publicly announced call in over two weeks.

The two have been in regular contact since Trump took office in January and have discussed issues like the Ukraine conflict and economic cooperation.

Putin did not say what the two would discuss in Thursday's call.

"I will talk to the US president today," the Russian leader told media during a visit to an exhibition centre in Moscow.

Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, saying it would start at 10.00am (1400 GMT).

The two leaders have praised each other in recent weeks, despite Moscow's ongoing assault on Ukraine.

Putin said last week that he had "great respect" for Trump and that US ties were improving. Trump said Putin's statements were "very nice".

Zelensky on Wednesday said Ukraine was "clarifying" details with the United States over its defence aid after Washington announced it was halting some supplies.

Minutes later, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, wrote on X that "we need more interceptors and systems. We are also ready to purchase or rent them."