Hot mic captures Trump remark about Putin during Zelenskyy meeting

A hot mic picked up Donald Trump saying that Vladimir Putin “wants to make a deal” with him during a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. While the talks were described as productive, the remark stirred debate about Trump’s approach to Russia.

President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Monday, joined by UK prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron, and other European leaders. The gathering followed Trump’s private three-hour meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin last week, which ended without a ceasefire agreement.

Despite that, Trump claimed “great progress” was made with Putin. Yesterday’s meeting with Zelenskyy was meant to build on those discussions, but attention quickly shifted after a hot mic captured Trump telling Macron: “I think he [Putin] wants to make a deal for me, as crazy as it sounds.”

The remark fueled speculation that Trump may be framing himself as the key broker in the war, raising concerns that he could concede too much to Moscow. Ukraine has been clear that it does not intend to give up significant territory, while Putin’s current terms remain widely viewed as unacceptable in Kyiv and among European allies.

Trump, however, appeared optimistic that an agreement is within reach.

European leaders’ response

UK prime minister Keir Starmer described the summit as “real progress,” noting unity among the leaders present. He also revealed that during the meeting, Trump held a phone call with Putin, which paved the way for a future bilateral agreement between Putin and Zelenskyy.

According to Starmer, the discussions also touched on sensitive issues, including territorial disputes, prisoner exchanges, and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. “These were the two outcomes that were the most important coming out of today. They’re positive outcomes, there was a real sense of unity,” Starmer said.

HOT MIC: Trump tells Macron, “I think he (Putin) wants to make a deal for me.”
No, Donald. The only thing Putin wants to do is to use you like the useful idiot you are. pic.twitter.com/ydzgwY2dIe

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The possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy is now on the table. While some see this as a potential step toward peace, others remain wary of Trump’s reliance on personal diplomacy and whether Putin is attempting to exploit it.

For now, European leaders stressed that Ukraine’s voice must remain central to any negotiation. The next stage of talks will determine whether yesterday’s unity translates into lasting progress—or if divisions resurface as the details of a deal emerge.