Following the high-stakes summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump gave an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, offering a detailed look into the meeting’s outcomes and his personal impressions. The meeting, held amid intense global scrutiny, was described as one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings in recent years, with Trump emphasizing the importance of achieving a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. During the interview, Trump remarked that while there was ‘no deal until there’s a deal,’ the progress made during the summit was substantial. He noted that Putin showed openness to peace and stated, ‘he wants to see it done,’ reflecting a degree of optimism about the potential for resolution.
Despite Trump’s cautious optimism, he refused to disclose the specific disagreements that had kept the leaders from concluding a ceasefire agreement. Pressed by Hannity, Trump declined to provide further details, stating that the issue would be addressed by ‘somebody else’ who might ‘figure it out.’ The president also highlighted the role of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the peace process, stating that it was ‘up to him and maybe the European nations’ to push for a resolution. Trump was open to the idea of attending a trilateral meeting with Zelenskyy and Putin, although he expressed reluctance, stating, ‘I don’t want to be there, but I want to get it done.’
In addition to the ceasefire, Trump mentioned that the meeting had a positive impact on U.S.-Russia relations, with Putin praising his ‘sincere peace efforts.’ Trump claimed that Putin now holds a greater respect for the United States compared to the Biden administration, which he believed showed ‘no respect’ for the country. He also asserted that Putin believed the 2020 U.S. election was compromised due to widespread mail-in voting, an opinion that highlights the complex relationship between the two leaders and the political tensions that have shaped their interactions. Despite the high-stakes nature of the summit, Trump concluded that it was a successful meeting, rating it a ’10 out of 10′ and emphasizing the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue with Russia.