In a recent phone interview with the BBC, President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment with Russian leader Vladimir Putin while outlining plans to send weapons to Ukraine and warning of severe tariffs if a ceasefire is not reached within 50 days.
President Donald Trump, in a recent conversation with the BBC, expressed a spectrum of views on international relations, particularly concerning Russian President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite voicing disappointment with Putin, Trump insisted he remained open to diplomatic efforts, hours after unveiling plans to send arms to Ukraine and threatening Russia with significant tariffs if no ceasefire is reached in 50 days.
When asked about his trust in the Russian leader, Trump stated, “I trust almost nobody,” indicating a cautious stance. This sentiment was shared following his discussions with NATO chief Mark Rutte at the White House, during which Trump outlined frustration over missed opportunities to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, a situation he hoped to negotiate with Russia. “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him. But I’m disappointed in him,” Trump reiterated.
Pressed on potential strategies to halt the violence, Trump suggested ongoing efforts, stating, “We’re working at it, Gary,” and described a dynamic where perceived progress towards peace could be abruptly halted by aggressive actions from Russia, such as missile strikes on Kyiv.
The conflict has seen increased drone and missile assaults on Ukrainian cities, contributing to high civilian casualties since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. While Putin has advocated for peace, claiming threats from Kyiv, NATO, and Western nations must first be addressed, Trump’s administration remains aligned with NATO’s strategic objectives. Formerly critical of the alliance, Trump has since acknowledged its evolving importance as member countries commit to increasing defense spending.
Discussing NATO, Trump highlighted, “It’s now becoming the opposite of [obsolete] because the alliance was paying their own bills,” and praised the agreement to boost defense spending to 5% of economic output, a feat he described as “amazing” and previously deemed implausible.
Turning to relations with the United Kingdom, Trump spoke warmly of his personal and professional connections, attributing his fondness to successful trade deals and describing a “special bond” with the nation. He also offered candid remarks on Brexit’s aftermath, noting that while the UK had been slow to capitalize on it, progress was being made. Trump shared his intention to visit the UK again in September.
On his domestic agenda, Trump’s administration reportedly achieved declines in illegal border crossings at the US-Mexico border. The focus has now shifted to identifying, detaining, and deporting migrants in the country illegally. Trump declined to specify success metrics for deportations but emphasized the expulsion of criminals as a priority. Notably, a controversial deportation agreement involved transporting gang members to El Salvador.
In his reflection on legal challenges to administration policies, Trump underscored a series of appellate victories after initial setbacks in lower courts, describing some judges as “radical left lunatics.” His administration achieved successes, such as a Supreme Court ruling permitting migrant deportations to third countries.
Financially, Trump lauded the expansive tax reforms enacted during his tenure, including extending cuts from his first term and introducing new breaks and Medicaid cuts. He claimed, “We have the largest tax cuts in history.”
Asked about his legacy, Trump optimistically remarked, “Saving America,” and argued that the nation had been revitalized under his leadership. “I think America is now a great country, and it was a dead country one year ago,” he concluded.