Trump speaks with Putin, blames Zelensky and threatens Germany troop pullout
Updated
Updated · The New Yorker · Apr 30
Trump speaks with Putin, blames Zelensky and threatens Germany troop pullout
7 articles · Updated · The New Yorker · Apr 30
During a Wednesday call, Trump discussed the wars in Ukraine and Iran with Putin, then told reporters the Russian leader had long been ready for a deal.
A Russian readout said both leaders shared similar views of Zelensky and accused Kyiv, backed by Europeans, of prolonging the conflict, deepening concern over Washington's stance on Ukraine.
The report also says Trump threatened to remove US troops from Germany amid tensions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while King Charles used a Congress speech to praise NATO and support for Ukraine.
Can a royal visit bridge deep ideological divides on global leadership and rule of law between historic allies?
As allies debate global strategy, how are legal definitions of free speech being tested and reshaped domestically?
What does invoking an 800-year-old charter reveal about today's challenges to executive power and free expression?
April 2026 Trump-Putin Call Sparks U.S. Troop Cuts in Germany Amid Ukraine Ceasefire Deadlock
Overview
In late April 2026, a pivotal phone call between Presidents Trump and Putin led to Trump's support for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine and a decision to reduce U.S. troops in Germany, driven by tensions with Germany over the Iran conflict. Ukrainian President Zelensky rejected the ceasefire and territorial concessions proposed by Trump, causing a stalemate in peace talks. The U.S. troop withdrawal strained NATO, exposing deep rifts fueled by disagreements over Iran and burden-sharing. Meanwhile, the ongoing Iran war shifted U.S. focus away from Ukraine, damaged transatlantic relations, and contributed to fragmentation within Western alliances, while Russia exploited this instability to advance its geopolitical interests.