In an unexpected turn of events, President Trump was caught whispering to French President Emmanuel Macron that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to craft a deal that would please him, the New York Post reported.
During preparation for a vital White House meeting on Ukraine, a hot mic revealed Trump's belief in Putin's readiness to compromise, sparking tentative optimism and later refutations.
This disclosure happened as leaders gathered to address the persistent military conflict in Ukraine, involving President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and seven European heads of state.
In the East Room, before the multilateral talks, Trump confided in Macron, suggesting Putin's unexpected willingness to negotiate under terms beneficial to American interests.
“I think he [Putin] wants to make a deal,” Trump whispered, hinting at a personal victory, “I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds."
This conversation hinted at prior discussions held between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, just the previous Friday.
In Anchorage, Trump, along with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, claimed to have secured an encouraging agreement from Putin regarding U.S. and NATO intervention in Ukraine.
“We sort of were able to … get an agreement that the United States could offer [NATO] Article 5-like protection, which is the first time we had ever heard … the Russians agree to that,” Witkoff revealed on a CNN interview with Jake Tapper.
NATO’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte, lauded this development as a significant breakthrough, providing newfound security promises alongside European allies.
However, shortly after this revelation, the Kremlin voiced its opposition through a formal statement distributed by the Russian Foreign Ministry to Ria Novosti. They voiced a “categorical rejection of any scenarios that envisage the appearance in Ukraine of a military contingent with the participation of NATO countries.”
Despite this official rejection by the Kremlin, Putin still has not personally addressed the agreement purported by Trump and Witkoff.
Undeterred by Moscow’s public denial, Trump proceeded to initiate a call with Putin with the aim of directly discussing the tentative terms and moving forward the dialogue toward peace.
Following the White House meeting and subsequent discussions, Trump took to Truth Social to express his positive outlook concerning the unfolding geopolitical dynamics.
“Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years. ...Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine,” Trump articulated on his social media platform, reflecting a hopeful vision towards an enduring resolution.
The international scene remains watchful as leaders from both the East and West react to the developments, assessing whether Trump’s whispered assertion of a possible deal with Putin could indeed lead to a tangible decrease in hostilities and a step closer towards peace in Ukraine.
