President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin but made it clear that he hasn’t given up on diplomatic efforts.
Speaking in a 20-minute phone call with the BBC from the Oval Office, Trump discussed recent developments in Ukraine, NATO relations, and upcoming foreign visits.
The US leader recently announced plans to provide more weapons to Ukraine and warned of strong economic consequences for Russia if no ceasefire is reached within the next 50 days.
Despite his disappointment with Putin, Trump indicated he still hopes for progress. He said that on multiple occasions, peace talks with Russia seemed close, only to be followed by fresh attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Russia has recently intensified missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, leading to a surge in civilian casualties.
The full-scale invasion, launched in 2022, continues to take a toll as Moscow insists peace will only come once its concerns about security threats from NATO and Kyiv are addressed.
During the conversation, Trump also clarified his stance on NATO. Once critical of the alliance, he now views it more favorably, pointing to what he described as improved financial commitments from member states.
He reaffirmed the importance of collective defense, noting that it allows smaller countries to protect themselves in a global environment.
Turning to international relations, Trump praised his interactions with European leaders and spoke positively about his ties with the UK.
He described Britain as a “great place” and noted his property ownership there. On Brexit, he commented that although the process was initially disorganized, progress was being made.
He also spoke warmly of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, despite political differences, and highlighted a successful US-UK trade deal.
Looking ahead to a planned state visit to the UK in September, Trump said he was eager to enjoy the trip and show respect to King Charles, whom he described as a “great gentleman.”
When asked about Canada, Trump brushed off concerns over recent tensions, suggesting ongoing negotiations would lead to a good outcome.
Reflecting on his presidency, Trump stated that he believes his legacy will be about “saving America,” claiming the country had been in decline before his leadership.