Trump Says He Trusts Putin, Believes Russia 'Wants Peace' in Ukraine
In a striking series of remarks outside the White House on Monday, former President Donald Trump declared his continued trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed confidence that Russia is ready to negotiate peace with Ukraine.
Following separate phone calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump told reporters he believes both leaders are increasingly open to diplomacy—especially the Kremlin.
"President Trump, do you think Vladimir Putin wants peace?" a reporter shouted.
Trump, pausing on the White House lawn, replied, “I do. Yes.”
Pressed further, the reporter asked, “Do you still trust Putin?”
Without hesitation, Trump answered, “I do.”
The comments quickly ignited a firestorm across political and media circles, as Trump reaffirmed his decades-long stance on building personal rapport with authoritarian leaders, especially Putin. Speaking with Fox News shortly after the exchange, Trump elaborated on his view.
“I’ve spoken with Vladimir. I think he’s had enough of the war. I think he’s ready. I’ve always said this war should’ve never started, and if I were president, it wouldn’t have,” Trump told Fox’s Sean Hannity. “But now, I believe peace is possible. Putin wants out.”
Trump claimed that during his recent phone conversation, the Russian president “sounded different,” describing the tone as “tired” and “reflective.” He suggested that both sides are suffering and that “a strong deal,” mediated by the U.S., could be imminent—with himself, ideally, at the center of it.
“I know how to make deals. I ended wars, I didn’t start them,” Trump continued. “Biden’s weakness got us into this mess. Now it’s time to fix it—and that starts with trusting, but verifying.”
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A Familiar Stance—Renewed Controversy
Trump’s remarks are consistent with his long-held views on Putin, but the timing is significant. With the 2024 U.S. presidential election now behind him and speculation swirling about a return to foreign diplomacy under a possible second term, Trump’s overtures toward Moscow are being viewed through a geopolitical lens.
Critics, including members of both parties, immediately raised alarms.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweeted, “Trump just said he still trusts Putin—while Russia occupies Ukrainian territory and bombs civilians. This isn’t diplomacy. It’s delusion.”
Meanwhile, some GOP allies praised Trump’s bold approach. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said, “Trump understands peace through strength. The Biden admin has fumbled diplomacy. Trump builds trust, not red lines.”
A Backchannel to Peace—or Political Theater?
According to Fox News, Trump’s communications with Putin and Zelensky were not coordinated through official State Department channels, but were described by insiders as "informal courtesy calls." Despite no formal authority in current negotiations, Trump’s words are already having a ripple effect across Eastern Europe.
Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the content of the call but released a neutral statement expressing appreciation for “any effort toward peace and respect for Ukrainian sovereignty.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, however, was quick to comment.
“President Putin has always respected Mr. Trump. If he believes peace is possible, it’s because he knows how to listen—not lecture,” Peskov said in a statement circulated by Russian state media.
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The Bigger Picture
The Russia–Ukraine war, now in its third year, has cost hundreds of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and reshaped global alliances. As economic pressures mount in Moscow and fatigue sets in among Western supporters, new diplomatic windows may indeed be opening—although skepticism remains about the Kremlin’s true intentions.
Trump’s open trust in Putin, while controversial, underscores a possible shift in tone. Whether it amounts to meaningful negotiation or political optics remains to be seen.
Still, Trump’s message was clear and characteristically blunt:
“I trust Putin. I think he wants peace. And I believe we can make it happen—fast.”
With Trump increasingly re-entering global political conversations, his rhetoric may once again shape the narrative—if not the outcome—of one of the world’s most critical conflicts.
