Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly delayed a planned phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump about the Ukraine war, opting instead to engage with a group of Russian oligarchs. According to the Kremlin’s previously announced schedule, Putin was an hour late to the call with Trump.
Max Seddon, Moscow Bureau Chief for the Financial Times, revealed that Putin had been scheduled to speak with Trump but was engaged in discussions with the influential oligarchs. Seddon shared the news on social media, writing, “Putin is meant to be speaking to Trump around now, but he is talking to a room full of oligarchs instead.”
When asked about the delay, Putin brushed off concerns.
“Not to listen to his spokesman,” he said, dismissing any worries about the timing. He also waved off the question of whether he’d be late, further showing his lack of concern for the scheduled call with Trump.
This move drew attention to Putin’s priorities and his apparent nonchalance regarding the delay with the U.S. President, signaling where his focus was at that moment — with Russia’s wealthy elite rather than on international diplomacy with the U.S.
Watch the clip below:
Putin is meant to be speaking to Trump around now, but he is talking to a room full of oligarchs instead. Asked if he's going to be late, Putin waves off the question and says not to listen to his spokesman pic.twitter.com/LDTU8BNQAr
— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 18, 2025
