Better than anyone · Second term · № 51

Nobody knows more

Russia wants a deal for reasons 'that only I know'

“I also think that Russia wants to make a deal because in a certain a different way that only I know—they have no choice either.”
Said
, Document signing and exchange with reporters, Oval Office
Subject
why Russia wants a deal
Topic
Ukraine & Russia
Era
Second term

What the record showed

No deal followed. On April 24, 2025 Trump posted 'Vladimir, STOP!'; on May 25 he wrote that Putin 'has gone absolutely CRAZY!'; and the August 15, 2025 Alaska summit ended with 'There's no deal until there's a deal.' On September 23, 2025 he called Russia 'a paper tiger,' and he was still holding bilateral talks with President Zelenskyy in Ankara on July 8, 2026.

Sources

  1. Remarks at a Document Signing Ceremony and an Exchange With Reporters (March 6, 2025) The American Presidency Project, Mar 6, 2025
  2. How Trump's rhetoric about Zelenskyy and Putin has evolved, in his own words PBS News, Sep 23, 2025
  3. Press Conference: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Hold a Joint Press Event - August 15, 2025 Roll Call Factba.se, Aug 15, 2025
  4. Remarks: Donald Trump Holds a Bilat with Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine - July 8, 2026 Roll Call Factba.se, Jul 8, 2026