Open Microphone Reveals Trump Comment on Peace Deal in Ukraine

• Trump talks about Russia-Ukraine deal
• Zelensky open to meeting
• Kyiv rejects territorial swap

According to EFE, an open microphone captured U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday saying that it is thanks to him that Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to reach an agreement on the war in Ukraine.

The unexpected, low-voiced comment was directed by Trump to French President Emmanuel Macron before the start of a multilateral meeting at the White House.

Cameras recorded how Trump leaned toward Macron and whispered that Putin wants a deal “because of him,” hinting at his direct influence in the talks.

“I think he wants to make a deal. I think he wants to make a deal because of me, you understand? As far-fetched as that sounds,” said the U.S. president.

Open microphone captured Trump comment at the White House

#ABCMundo | An open microphone captured President Donald Trump saying that it is because of him that Vladimir Putin wants to reach an agreement on Ukraine.

Trump made the comment to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, before the start of the meeting of European leaders and the… pic.twitter.com/HWdUgAOJlY

— ABC Digital (@ABCDigital) August 18, 2025

The exchange occurred in the East Room, minutes before a working session began with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

After the remark, Trump invited Macron to take a seat, formally beginning the meeting.

Media such as CNN reported that, during the same day, Trump briefly interrupted the meeting to call Putin on the phone.

According to those reports, the U.S. president sought to convey directly to the Russian leader the points debated in Washington.

Putin would accept security guarantees

Trump recalled that at his recent summit with Putin in Alaska, the Russian leader allegedly told him he was willing to accept security guarantees for Ukraine.

The U.S. president stressed that such a commitment should materialize through an international contingent.

He further underlined that much of the burden of that security mission would fall on NATO’s European partners.

Trump emphasized that transatlantic cooperation is key to preventing Russia from attempting new invasions of Ukrainian territory.

Possible trilateral meeting with Putin

At the White House, both Trump and Zelensky expressed openness to holding a trilateral meeting with Putin in the near future.

The idea, according to the U.S. president, is to explore negotiation channels that could lead to a potential peace agreement.

Zelensky, though cautious, did not rule out the possibility of taking part in the initiative together with his Russian counterpart and Trump.

The announcement stirred expectations among the European delegations present, who continue to stress the need to maintain unity against the Kremlin.

Debate over territorial exchange

One of the most sensitive issues that resurfaced in the meeting was the Russian proposal for a “territorial exchange.”

In previous encounters, Putin suggested that Ukraine should formally cede regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk.

Trump noted that this option should at least be discussed, though he acknowledged its complexity for Kyiv.

The Ukrainian government reacted firmly, reminding that its Constitution forbids ceding sovereignty through negotiation.

Kyiv’s stance and legal limits

Ukrainian spokespeople reiterated that accepting a territorial cession would be equivalent to legitimizing the Russian invasion.

They asserted that the proposal is “intolerable” from both a political and legal perspective.

Ukraine’s Constitution establishes the inviolability of its borders and does not permit sovereignty exchanges with other States.

Consequently, any attempt to move forward on this path is considered unconstitutional by Kyiv authorities.

European leaders back Ukraine

The White House meeting had broad Western representation.

Present were NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Also attending were Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, along with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz completed the list of European leaders who came to support Ukraine’s position.

A summit full of tension

The leak of Trump’s comment reinforced the idea that the president seeks personal protagonism in the negotiations.

While some interpret his influence as a potential catalyst for dialogue, others fear he could make risky concessions.

The truth is that the war in Ukraine is at a critical juncture, and every political gesture carries great significance.

For now, the possibility of a trilateral meeting with Putin opens a new chapter in the complex international diplomatic plot.

The world watches cautiously to see whether gestures and statements translate into concrete steps toward lasting peace.