RACHEL SCOTT: Today, I asked The White House why the president is convinced that Putin actually wants to come to the table.
What indications is the president getting from Putin that he wants to have this meeting with Zelenskyy soon?
KAROLINE LEAVITT: Because he spoke to him directly yesterday.
SCOTT: Reporters then pressing about that phone call.
REPORTER: Did he agree to have a sitdown with just Zelenskyy on the phone?
LEAVITT: I can assure you that the United States government and the Trump administration is working with Russia and Ukraine to make that bilateral happen as we speak.
SCOTT: Asking once again --
REPORTER: Did Putin promise to do a meeting with Zelenskyy, a direct meeting, in the coming weeks?
LEAVITT: He has.
SCOTT: But tonight, Russia is not saying as much, and though President Trump wants a meeting soon, right now, there's no indication of when or even if it will happen. And right now, there is so much riding on President Trump's relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin. European leaders want Trump to pressure Putin to agree to a cease-fire, but that is not something that the Russian leader wants. And so tonight, the fighting continues, Mary.
BRUCE: As you note, so much of this relationship coming down to Trump’s relationship with Putin. Rachel, thank you.