US President Donald Trump has expressed his disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but emphasized that he is not done with him. In an exclusive phone call with the BBC, Trump shared his thoughts on Putin and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him. But I’m disappointed in him,” Trump said when asked if he was done with Putin.
Trump’s comments come after he announced plans to send new weapons to Ukraine and warned of severe tariffs on Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached within 50 days. The US president also expressed frustration with Putin’s actions, stating that he had thought a deal was on the cards with Russia four different times. “We’ll have a great conversation. I’ll say: ‘That’s good, I’ll think we’re close to getting it done,’ and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv,” Trump added.
When asked about his trust in Putin, Trump replied, “I trust almost no-one.” Despite this, Trump remains committed to finding a solution to the conflict in Ukraine. “We’re working it, Gary,” he said when pressed on how he would get Putin to stop the bloodshed.
In the same interview, Trump also discussed his views on NATO, which he previously criticized as “obsolete.” However, he now believes that the alliance is becoming more effective, stating, “No. I think NATO is now becoming the opposite of that” because the alliance is “paying their own bills.” Trump emphasized his support for the organisation’s common defence principle, highlighting the importance of collective defence for smaller countries to defend themselves against larger ones.
Trump also spoke about his upcoming visit to the UK, where he will be hosted by King Charles at Windsor. “Have a good time and respect King Charles, because he’s a great gentleman,” Trump said, expressing his enthusiasm for the visit. Additionally, Trump praised UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, saying, “I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal,” and commended the UK-US trade deal.
Overall, Trump’s comments reflect his complex and nuanced approach to international diplomacy, particularly with regards to Russia and Ukraine. While expressing disappointment with Putin’s actions, Trump remains open to diplomacy and is working towards finding a solution to the conflict.