Trump spotted chatting with Macron about potential Putin peace deal
President Trump Believes Putin Wants to Make a Peace Deal for Him, Hot Mic Moment Reveals
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President Donald Trump was caught in a hot mic moment whispering to French President Emmanuel Macron that he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to make a peace deal “for” him – an idea that even Trump himself admitted sounded “crazy.”
“I think he (Putin) wants to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that?” Trump was heard telling Macron before a meeting with European leaders on Monday. “As crazy as it sounds.”
Top European leaders gathered at the White House on Monday for discussions, including a highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in hopes of brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine amid ongoing conflict since 2022.
Following his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump engaged with European leaders on “Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with coordination with the United States of America,” as stated by Trump on Truth Social.
Key Moments Inside Trump’s Meeting with Zelenskyy and European Leaders
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, traveled to the White House on Aug. 18, 2025, for ongoing peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.(Getty Images)
European leaders present at the White House meeting included 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.
Macron later spoke with NBC News and was asked about Trump’s comments to him.
Macron’s Response to Trump’s Comments
President Donald Trump was heard speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron on his belief Russian President Putin wants to make a peace deal with Ukraine.(Alexander Drago/Reuters)
Macron viewed Trump’s remarks as a sign of his confidence that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia could come to an end.
“At the end of the day, if we have a deal, which is compliant with this long-standing and robust peace, this is great news,” Macron stated in an interview. “And your president, indeed, is very confident about the capacity he has to get this deal done. Which is good news for all of us, and can break this, I would say, this daily killings.”
Trump’s Strategy for Peace Negotiations
Trump’s spokesperson emphasized that Trump is the only world leader who has successfully brought Putin to the negotiating table for a potential peace deal after years of conflict.
Trump mentioned on “Fox & Friends” his plans to facilitate a one-on-one meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy before advancing peace talks, potentially involving a land swap deal.
President Donald Trump hosted a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside a handful of European leaders at the White House on Aug. 18, 2025.(Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Trump clarified that the negotiations would not include admitting Ukraine into NATO but mentioned that some European nations have agreed to provide NATO-like protections, including security guarantees.
Progress Towards Peace
Following discussions with Putin in Alaska and meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington, Trump initiated plans for a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy to further peace negotiations.
“After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself,” Trump stated on Truth Social. “This was a very good, early step for a war that has been ongoing for almost four years.”
Fox News Digital’s Taylor Penny contributed to this report.
