## **Trump’s Private Stance on Putin Shocks European Leaders**
**Behind closed doors, Trump admits Putin "thinks he's winning" in Ukraine—while publicly claiming Russia "wants peace."**
According to *The Wall Street Journal*, Donald Trump privately told European leaders, including Ukraine’s Zelensky, that Vladimir Putin remains confident in Russia’s victory and **isn’t ready to end the war**. This contradicts Trump’s usual public rhetoric, where he paints Putin as a leader seeking peace.
Despite this private admission, **Trump has refused to impose new sanctions**—something Zelensky and European officials have repeatedly demanded.
#### **Trump’s Flip-Flop Before & After Putin Call**
- **Before the call**: Trump told Macron, Merz, and UK’s Starmer he *might* sanction Russia if Putin rejected a ceasefire.
- **After the call**: Instead of sanctions, he pushed for **low-level Ukraine-Russia talks at the Vatican**—while insisting, *“This isn’t my war.”*
European leaders spent **10 days pressuring Trump** to leverage U.S. influence, but he refused to commit. When they pushed for an **unconditional ceasefire**, Trump backtracked—despite previously using the term in a *Truth Social* post.
#### **Europe Tests Trump After Merz Takes Charge**
Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has taken a **harder line against Putin**—even amending Germany’s constitution to boost military spending.
On **May 10**, Merz, Macron, Starmer, and Poland’s Tusk made a **surprise visit to Kyiv**, then called Trump directly, warning that Europe would **ramp up sanctions** if Putin refused a 30-day ceasefire.
Putin responded by offering **direct talks with Ukraine**—the first in 3 years. Trump eagerly supported the idea, even suggesting he’d join negotiations in Turkey. But when the meeting happened in Istanbul, **Putin no-showed**, sending low-level envoys instead.
#### **Trump’s Mixed Signals & Europe’s Frustration**
After Putin’s snub, European leaders urged Trump to take stronger action. While minor sanctions passed, **major measures are still pending**.
Trump later claimed a **Putin peace deal** required direct talks—but his own allies, like Senator Lindsey Graham, are already pushing a bill to **cripple Russia with energy/financial sanctions**.
The drama peaked when Trump:
✔ **Praised Merz’s English** (*“Love your German accent!”*)
❌ **Attacked Europe’s migration policies**, claiming they’re near *“collapse”*—prompting Macron to snap: *“You can’t insult our nations, Donald.”*
**The Takeaway**: Despite brief hope Trump would back sanctions, **no major action followed**. Vatican-mediated talks are now set for **mid-June**—but with Putin’s track record, expectations are low.
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### **Why This Matters for Crypto?**
Geopolitical tensions like these can **rock global markets**, including crypto. As sanctions and energy wars escalate, **Bitcoin and stablecoins may see volatility**. Stay tuned to **Binance Square** for real-time updates!
This version keeps the **drama, key details, and urgency** while making it **sharper and more engaging** for a crypto-savvy audience. Let me know if you'd like any tweaks! 🚀