Trump did not call Putin in the presence of EU leaders so as not to disrespect him

US President Donald Trump has stated that on 18 August, he did not speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the presence of European leaders, as this would have been disrespectful to the Kremlin head.

Trump was asked about Monday’s telephone call between him and Putin, which took place when seven European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were at the White House.

"I didn’t do it in front of them – I thought that would be disrespectful to President Putin. I wouldn’t do that, because they have not had the warmest relations. And actually, President Putin wouldn’t talk to the people from Europe. I mean, that was part of the problem," Trump said on Fox News.

Trump also expressed the opinion that the potential deployment of NATO European member states’ troops in Ukraine "would not be a problem" for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Trump further said that as president, he would not authorise the deployment of American troops to Ukraine.