Trump’s ‘Crazy’ Whisper Caught on Hot Mic Ahead of Meeting with Zelensky [WATCH]

A private remark by President Donald Trump was caught on a hot mic Monday at the White House as he prepared for a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven European leaders to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

In the East Room, Trump leaned toward French President Emmanuel Macron and spoke in a low voice, but the microphone picked up his comment.

“I think he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants to make a deal,” Trump said.

“I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.”

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The remark offered a glimpse into Trump’s interpretation of his recent meeting with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.

The president met with the Russian leader on Friday, accompanied by special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. Both Trump and Witkoff later said that they had secured a significant commitment from Moscow.

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According to Witkoff, Putin had agreed to a framework that would involve the United States and NATO allies stepping in to defend Ukraine if Russia violated the terms of a peace arrangement.

“We sort of were able to … get an agreement that the, that the United States could offer [NATO] Article 5-like protection, which is the first time we had ever heard … the Russians agree to that,” Witkoff told CNN’s “State of the Union” co-host Jake Tapper on Sunday.

The development drew praise from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who described Trump’s decision to provide such a guarantee as groundbreaking.

“The fact that you have said, ‘I’m willing to participate in security guarantees’ is a big step — is really a breakthrough, and it makes all the difference,” Rutte said.

“Thank you for that.”

The discussions between Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders at the White House centered on next steps toward securing a formal peace deal.

Reports of Trump’s progress, however, prompted a swift response from Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement to the state-run outlet Ria Novosti on Monday rejecting the idea of NATO or U.S. troops being stationed in Ukraine as part of any agreement.

“We reaffirm our repeatedly stated position on our categorical rejection of any scenarios that envisage the appearance in Ukraine of a military contingent with the participation of NATO countries,” the ministry said.

Putin has not personally commented on the reported agreement or on the White House meetings.

Trump, meanwhile, sought to continue momentum following his discussions with European leaders and Zelensky.

In a post on Truth Social, the president revealed that he had already called Putin to begin arranging a direct meeting between the Russian leader and Zelensky. He added that a trilateral meeting involving the United States would follow.

“Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years,” Trump wrote.

“…Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.”

“Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine. At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting…” – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/avDo5j39F9

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 18, 2025

The White House meeting came as the conflict approaches its fourth year, with both Kyiv and Moscow under mounting pressure to find a resolution.

Trump’s comments, the subsequent Kremlin pushback, and the reactions from NATO allies underscored both the potential and the challenges in moving toward a negotiated settlement.