Trump Suggests Putin May Seek Peace Deal in Hot Mic Exchange With Macron

Published Time: 08-20-2025, 17:10

President Donald Trump was caught in a hot mic moment during meetings with European leaders, telling French President Emmanuel Macron that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin may want a peace deal — and possibly one connected to Trump personally. The remark, which Trump himself described as sounding “crazy,” surfaced during a critical week of diplomacy in Washington focused on ending the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The private aside came just hours after Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where discussions centered on security guarantees and potential pathways toward a negotiated settlement.

The Hot Mic Moment

According to a transcript reported by U.S. outlets, Trump whispered to Macron before a multilateral meeting:

“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.”

The comment sparked immediate interest among reporters and policymakers, given its timing and Trump’s repeated assertions that he can achieve what his predecessors could not: bringing Putin and Zelenskyy together at the negotiating table.

European Leaders in Washington

Monday’s White House gathering drew several high-level European officials, including Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

The talks followed Trump’s one-on-one session with Zelenskyy earlier in the day. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described discussions on “security guarantees for Ukraine” involving commitments from European partners in coordination with the United States.

Macron Responds to Trump’s Remark

In a subsequent interview with NBC News, Macron downplayed any controversy, framing the exchange as evidence of Trump’s determination to secure an eventual peace.

“At the end of the day, if we have a deal which is compliant with long-standing and robust peace, this is great news,” Macron said. He added that Trump appeared “very confident about the capacity he has to get this deal done,” which Macron argued could help end “daily killings” in Ukraine.

White House and Trump’s Position

A White House spokesperson, responding to questions about the hot mic moment, underscored Trump’s unique role in opening channels with Moscow.

“As President Trump has said, he has a good relationship with President Putin, and only he was able to bring him to the table for a peace deal,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “European leaders recognize that after three years of deadlock under President Biden, there has been more progress toward peace than ever before because of this administration’s leadership.”

Trump, in a separate interview with Fox & Friends on Tuesday, outlined his next steps. He confirmed plans to let Putin and Zelenskyy meet one-on-one before advancing broader negotiations, suggesting talks could include discussions of a potential land swap arrangement.

“They haven’t exactly been best friends,” Trump said. “Maybe they’re getting along a little better than I thought. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have set up the two of them meeting.”

Excluding NATO Membership From Talks

Trump clarified that Ukraine’s admission into NATO would not be part of the current negotiation framework. Instead, several European nations have expressed willingness to provide NATO-like protections through direct security guarantees.

This approach, Trump argued, could offer Ukraine critical safeguards while avoiding one of the central points of contention between Russia and the West.

Previous Talks With Putin

The hot mic exchange followed Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska the previous Friday. While that encounter did not produce a formal agreement, both sides described it as opening the door for more detailed peace discussions.

Trump has repeatedly pledged on the campaign trail to end the war, which began in February 2022 and has stretched into its fourth year. His allies in Washington have portrayed this week’s diplomatic activity as evidence he is following through on that commitment.

Next Steps Toward Peace

On Monday evening, Trump confirmed via Truth Social that he had spoken directly with Putin after hosting European leaders.

“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump wrote.

He added that after the initial bilateral meeting, he envisions a “trilateral” format involving himself alongside both leaders. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are said to be coordinating with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts to prepare for next-stage negotiations.

Key Takeaways

• Trump told Macron in a hot mic moment that Putin may want a peace deal “for him,” calling the idea “crazy.”
• European leaders, including Macron, Meloni, Starmer, and von der Leyen, joined White House talks on Ukraine.
• Macron characterized Trump’s remark as evidence of confidence in reaching a long-term peace agreement.
• Trump said NATO membership for Ukraine will not be part of negotiations, but European nations may offer security guarantees.
• Plans are underway for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet, potentially followed by trilateral discussions including Trump.