Any conversation between the two would mark the first time a sitting U.S. president and Putin have spoken since the war in Ukraine began, although former President Joe Biden held phone calls with Putin multiple times in the leadup to Moscow's invasion to urge Putin against it.

The president still won’t say whether he has had a recent conversation with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. It’s not clear why he won’t answer the question.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the recent halt of U.S. aid under the Trump administration, emphasising the importance of Ukraine's involvement in any peace talks with Russia. Following the announcement that military assistance would be paused,