Washington, D.C. - August 19, 2025

President Donald Trump's candid remark overheard during a White House meeting has ignited discussions about the potential for peace between Russia and Ukraine. Caught on a hot mic, Trump was heard telling French President Emmanuel Macron, "I think he [Putin] wants to make a deal... I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds." This comment drew attention to the ongoing efforts to resolve the nearly four-year-long conflict.

The remark came during a closed-door session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, including French President Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The meeting focused on coordinating security guarantees for Ukraine and exploring avenues for peace.

Following the meeting, President Trump stated that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin to arrange a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, with plans for a trilateral discussion involving the U.S. He described the call as "candid and very constructive," noting that Putin expressed support for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed his readiness for direct talks with Putin, emphasizing the importance of security guarantees in any potential peace agreement. European leaders echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for robust security assurances to deter future aggression.

While the hot mic moment has added an element of intrigue to the peace efforts, it underscores the delicate nature of international diplomacy and the challenges in achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.