Oh, Mr. President, you really need to make sure you turn the microphones off when you are talking privately.
President Donald Trump was reportedly caught in a hot-mic moment during the big meeting that took place at the White House on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European Union (EU) and NATO officials.
Trump was having a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron when he was heard talking about his feelings about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump came out of the meeting with Zelensky in very good spirits, and to be honest, I was shocked.
My gut has never been more wrong, as I was sure the presence of the NATO and EU officials would have gotten Trump’s back up, but he never allowed it to impact the negotiations with Zelensky.
After the meeting, Trump stated, "Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.”
Most of all, the American people, who are sick and tired of funding this war.
Trump was on the dais where he and Macron were seen chatting, but it turns out the microphone was hot.
Trump was heard telling Macron, “I think he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants to make a deal."
He continued, “I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.”
When that report came out, I was terrified that any progress made between Trump and Putin would have been wrecked. We all know how these guys get when information leaks, and their first response is to try to make the other guy look bad.
Needless to say, when Trump later revealed that Putin had agreed to accept protection guarantees for Ukraine, I was stunned.
Trump explained, “In a very significant step, President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine, and this is one of the key points that we need to consider, and we’re going to be considering that at the table also, like who will do what essentially."
He continued, “I’m optimistic that collectively we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine. And I actually think there won’t be. I think that’s even overrated, largely overrated, but we’re going to find out, and I think that the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden. We’re going to help them and we’re going to make it very secure.”
If this preliminary understanding remains in place, it will be huge in terms of allowing both countries to sign a peace deal, but I remain skeptical. After Trump made that announcement, I immediately saw reports about Russia pushing back on the protection agreement, but they have since disappeared. Trump is now pushing for a trilateral meeting to nail down a peace agreement, and he wants to have it as soon as possible while everyone is willing to deal. If Putin agrees to that meeting, I have to think an agreeement would be imminent.
