President Donald Trump described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “misguided” and “difficult” while admitting that resolving the war in Ukraine has proven far more challenging than he initially believed. His remarks came during a press conference at the conclusion of the NATO summit in the Netherlands, where he also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he expected the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would be “settled easy” within his first few months in office, but conceded that Putin has not been as cooperative as he had hoped.
“Putin has been more difficult than I thought,” Trump said. “I consider him a person that’s, I think, been misguided.”
The comments followed Trump’s first in-person meeting with Zelenskyy since April. Zelenskyy described their discussion as “long and substantive,” noting that they covered a range of issues including efforts to reach a ceasefire, defense support, and the potential co-production of drones.
“We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
During the summit, Trump said he would consider authorizing the sale of U.S.-made Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, an option Zelenskyy raised during their meeting.
“Ukraine is ready to buy this equipment and support American weapons manufacturers. Europe can help,” Zelenskyy stated.
The Biden administration had previously supplied Ukraine with Patriot systems through U.S.-funded military aid packages. Trump’s potential approval of direct sales could mark a shift toward allowing Ukraine to independently purchase advanced weapons, which could also boost U.S. defense industry revenues.
NATO Summit Statement and Focus Shift
This year’s NATO summit was notably more reserved in its references to the Ukraine conflict. The final communique by the alliance’s 32 member states reaffirmed long-term support for Ukraine but avoided explicit references to Russia’s invasion or pledges for Ukrainian NATO membership.
Instead, the statement described Russia as a “long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security” and included a new commitment to count allied contributions to Ukraine’s military and defense industry as part of each country’s defense spending calculations.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte defended the cautious tone of the summit statement.
“The position of NATO has not changed. There’s a real resolve within the group to push Putin toward an unconditional ceasefire,” he said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed that view, calling Russia both a current and long-term threat to the alliance.
Trump-Putin Conversations
In a notable revelation, Trump said he had spoken with Vladimir Putin earlier this month. According to Trump, he urged the Russian leader to end the war in Ukraine rather than seek U.S. support on other geopolitical matters, such as tensions with Iran.
“I told him I don’t want help with Iran. I want the war in Ukraine to be settled,” Trump said.
As Trump navigates the complexities of a protracted European war during his second term, his administration faces mounting pressure to balance diplomacy, military aid, and alliance cohesion. While the summit signaled enduring support for Ukraine, it also reflected an evolving strategy focused on restraint and burden-sharing among NATO members.