President Donald Trump’s bold push for peace in Ukraine hit a snag as whispers of doubt about Vladimir Putin’s intentions surfaced. On Monday, the White House hosted a high-stakes summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, aiming to broker a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Yet, a hot mic moment and Russia’s overnight attack on Ukraine cast shadows over the talks, as the Daily Mail reports.
Trump welcomed Zelensky, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss a potential summit with Putin. The meeting followed a tense 40-minute call between Trump and Putin, which the Kremlin called “frank” but only “fairly constructive.” Contrast this with the progressive agenda’s endless sanctions, and Trump’s direct approach seems refreshingly pragmatic.
Zelensky, dressed in his signature black attire, signaled readiness for face-to-face talks with Putin. Trump, ever the dealmaker, floated a trilateral meeting with himself, Zelensky, and Putin, possibly in Europe within days. But Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s warning that Putin is “untrustworthy” cuts through the optimism like a cold wind.
A hot mic in the White House East Room caught Trump reassuring Macron that Putin was serious about peace. “I think he wants to make a deal for me,” Trump said, hinting at personal leverage. Such confidence is classic Trump, but it’s hard to ignore the Kremlin’s lukewarm response to the same talks.
Macron pushed Geneva as a summit location, while Trump favored Rome. Meanwhile, Meloni, in another hot mic moment, thanked Trump for being “fair,” a nod to his balanced approach against the West’s sanctimonious posturing. But Russia’s accusation that Britain is sabotaging peace efforts muddies the waters further.
Trump spent an hour with Zelensky, poring over a battlefield map showing 20% of Ukraine under Russian control. Discussions of territorial exchanges based on current lines of contact emerged, a practical move that sidesteps the left’s obsession with moral grandstanding. Zelensky called it their best meeting yet, marked by mutual praise.
Hours after the summit, Russia launched 270 drones and 10 missiles on Ukraine. This aggressive move undercuts Trump’s claim that “Putin had accepted security guarantees for Ukraine.” The timing suggests Putin’s more interested in bombs than handshakes.
Trump offered Ukraine “very good protection” and “security,” hinting at air support but dodging questions about deploying troops. His refusal to rule out boots on the ground three times raises eyebrows. Unlike the left’s endless war machine, Trump’s focus is on results, not rhetoric.
Zelensky handed Trump a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, thanking first lady Melania Trump for spotlighting 20,000 Ukrainian children allegedly kidnapped by Russia. This human touch contrasts sharply with the progressive elite’s cold indifference to real suffering. It’s a reminder of what’s at stake beyond geopolitics.
European leaders, including Starmer, scrapped summer holidays to attend, greeted by a White House guard of honor. Outside, protesters waved signs reading “Do not abandon Ukraine,” a plea Trump’s security pledges aim to answer. Yet, the left’s sanctimonious cries for “justice” often drown out practical solutions.
Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed for a ceasefire, unlike Trump’s aim for a full peace deal. “We’ve got to get it right,” Starmer said, noting the war’s toll on Europe. His caution is fair, but the progressive obsession with “fairness” risks stalling real progress.
Trump claimed he ended six wars without ceasefires, aiming for a complete end to hostilities. “I know exactly what I’m doing,” he posted on Truth Social. Such bravado is quintessential Trump, but it’s a welcome antidote to the West’s dithering diplomacy.
William Browder, in the Daily Mail, argued that Putin’s survival hinges on prolonging the war, not peace. “An outbreak of peace means certain death,” Browder wrote, painting Putin as a cornered autocrat. This grim view aligns with Stubb’s skepticism, challenging Trump’s hot mic optimism.
Trump planned to call Putin post-summit to push the talks forward. Yet, Russia’s preference for Geneva over Trump’s Rome suggests Moscow is playing its own game. The Kremlin’s mixed signals expose the folly of trusting Putin’s word over his actions.
Zelensky’s support for a trilateral meeting signals hope, but Russia’s overnight attack screams doubt. “We are ready for a trilateral,” Zelensky said, backing Trump’s plan. With Putin’s missiles flying, conservatives see Trump’s dealmaking as the only path to cut through the globalist haze.
