In recent months, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have intensified their personal contacts. Following one of their conversations, the American leader published a statement declaring that Ukraine could regain its territories within their original borders, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to Politico.
According to the outlet, direct communication between Trump and von der Leyen began in June. A key moment came at the G7 summit held on June 16–17 in Canada, where the two leaders discussed a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. In July, Trump personally called von der Leyen and invited her to attend the signing of the agreement in Scotland. One EU official told Politico that von der Leyen’s negotiation style left a strong impression on the U.S. president.
This was evident during their next meeting in Washington, where von der Leyen was accompanied by other European leaders. On that occasion, Trump joked: “I think you might be more influential than all these guys at this table.” Since then, he has repeatedly described her as “very influential,” “a very smart woman,” and even “my friend.”
Another European source told Politico that Trump’s recent post was published after an in-depth discussion with von der Leyen, during which the two focused on the EU’s readiness to increase pressure on Russia.
According to the sources, the trust between them was built largely because Trump often ignored protocol and called von der Leyen directly. She later adopted this practice herself: after a Russian strike damaged the EU delegation’s building in Kyiv, she phoned Trump personally, saying: “This is what [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is capable of. This is a vivid example of how Putin does not keep his word.
Earlier we wrote that Donald Trump links paracetamol and autism: scientists and Kenvue respond.
