Italy’s, UK’s, Germany’s, and France’s leaders discuss Ukraine with Trump ahead of phone call with Putin

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron had phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming talks between the U.S. and Russian leaders on Monday, the office of Italy’s Palazzo Chigi reports.

“The prime minister reiterated Italy’s support, along with that of European and Western partners, for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. In conclusion, the prime minister expressed gratitude for Ukraine’s willingness to engage in dialogue and reaffirmed hope that Moscow will seriously participate in direct talks between leaders, which are expected to lead to peace,” the Italian government’s press office reports.

On May 17, Trump announced that he would have a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.