Trump Says He’s ‘Disappointed but Not Done’ With Putin, Reaffirms NATO Support

In a recent interview, President Donald Trump stated he is “disappointed but not done” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealing his frustration with the Russian leader amid continued violence in Ukraine. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump expressed distrust in most world leaders and said Putin had derailed peace negotiations multiple times by escalating military actions. Despite several instances where Trump thought a ceasefire was imminent, he said Putin would resume attacks, including bombings in Kyiv.

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Trump's remarks come shortly after his announcement to send more weapons to Ukraine and impose heavy tariffs on Russia unless a ceasefire is reached within 50 days. While acknowledging disappointment, Trump hinted at ongoing diplomatic engagement, stating they are “working at it” and he believes meaningful conversations with Putin are still possible.

Despite his previous criticism of NATO, calling it obsolete, Trump praised the alliance during the interview. He said NATO is now "the opposite" of obsolete because members are paying their fair share. He also affirmed the alliance’s core principle of collective defense, describing it as crucial for protecting smaller countries. The president highlighted a newfound respect from European leaders including those of Germany, France, and Spain, crediting it to his leadership style and accomplishments.

He reflected briefly on the assassination attempt he survived a year ago, saying he tries not to dwell on it, even though such experiences can be life-changing. The phone call, lasting 20 minutes, was arranged as part of the media outreach to mark one year since that incident. Trump was careful not to delve too deeply into its psychological impact but admitted the memory lingers.

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President Trump used the latter half of his BBC interview to affirm his strong ties with the United Kingdom and previewed his upcoming state visit in September. He described the UK as a “great place” and referenced his personal property holdings there. Despite being a conservative, Trump had warm words for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, saying, “I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal.” He also praised the ongoing UK-US trade relationship, claiming a “special bond” with Britain and noting that trade deals with the UK were more advanced than those with the EU.

On Brexit, Trump acknowledged the process had been “on the sloppy side” but expressed optimism that it was getting back on track. Looking ahead to his state visit, Trump stated he hopes to "have a good time and respect King Charles," whom he described as "a great gentleman." He expressed no desire for the UK Parliament to reconvene during his visit, instead encouraging MPs to enjoy their recess.

Trump dismissed concerns over a speech by King Charles in Canada emphasizing its sovereignty, following Trump’s controversial comments implying the US might annex Canada. He said Charles was respectful and had no real choice but to affirm Canadian identity. Trump added that negotiations with Canada were ongoing and progressing well.

When asked what he believed his legacy as president would be, Trump declared it was “Saving America,” contrasting what he sees as the country’s current strength with what he termed its decline a year earlier. He concluded by saying that world leaders now respect him more due to his accomplishments and leadership style, calling his presidency transformative for both America and global diplomacy.

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