While Donald Trump publicly portrays Russian President Vladimir Putin as someone who wants peace, behind closed doors he’s been delivering a very different message. In a recent private call with top European leaders—including Zelensky, Macron, Merz, Meloni, and von der Leyen—Trump admitted that Putin still thinks he's winning the war in Ukraine and isn't ready to stop.
This private admission contrasts sharply with Trump’s public stance and raises questions about what his real strategy might be.
No Real Action—Just More Talk
Despite acknowledging Putin’s aggressive posture, Trump hasn’t taken concrete steps. Zelensky and European leaders have been urging him to push for real consequences—like sanctions—but Trump has refused. He repeated his usual line: “This isn’t my war.”
Even after a prior Sunday call where he floated the idea of sanctions if Putin rejected a cease-fire, Trump shifted gears, pushing instead for low-level peace talks at the Vatican. But nothing meaningful came from that effort.
Europe Tests Trump’s Resolve After Merz Steps In
The tone changed after Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, took office. Merz has taken a more aggressive stance on Russia, even changing Germany’s constitution to expand military spending. Alongside Macron, Starmer, and Tusk, he visited Zelensky in Kyiv on May 10—and called Trump directly from Macron’s phone to push for a cease-fire backed by Ukraine.
Putin responded by offering direct talks for the first time in three years. Trump, encouraged by this shift, even suggested joining the talks in Turkey. But the Kremlin sent mid-level reps instead, and the session in Istanbul led nowhere.
More Sanctions Coming? Maybe.
Frustrated, the Europeans returned to Trump to urge real pressure. Trump again floated the idea of oil and bank sanctions, and Sen. Lindsey Graham claimed to have 81 Senate co-sponsors ready to hit Russia hard.
Still, Trump has hesitated to fully commit, and the only concrete step forward is a mid-June Vatican meeting.
Trump Being Trump
The usual Trump quirks were on display too. He complimented Merz’s English (“even better with your German accent”) and launched into a rant about European immigration—prompting Macron to step in: “You cannot insult our nations, Donald.”
Despite the chaos, some still hope Trump will back stronger sanctions if Putin keeps stonewalling peace. Until then, the world waits.
