Trump Tells BBC He’s “Disappointed But Not Done” With Putin

Washington, D.C. – In a candid 20-minute phone interview with the BBC, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin but left the door open for future negotiations.

Trump’s Stance on Putin and Ukraine

When asked if he still trusted Putin, Trump responded bluntly: “I trust almost nobody.”

The former president revealed that he had believed a peace deal for Ukraine was within reach “four different times,” only for Russia to escalate attacks. “I’ll think we’re close to getting it done, and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv,” Trump said.

Despite his disappointment, Trump insisted he wasn’t giving up on diplomacy. “We’re working at it,” he told BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue.

Russia has intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, leading to record civilian casualties. Putin has claimed he seeks peace but insists on resolving what he calls the “root causes” of the conflict—alleged Western threats to Russia’s security.

NATO No Longer “Obsolete,” Says Trump

Trump, who once called NATO “obsolete,” now praises the alliance for increasing defense spending. “It’s amazing,” he said, referring to NATO members agreeing to ramp up military budgets to 5% of their GDP.

He reaffirmed his belief in NATO’s collective defense principle, stating it helps smaller nations defend against larger aggressors.

Trump on UK Relations and Brexit

Trump, who owns property in the UK, shared his thoughts on British politics:

• On Brexit: “I think it’s been on the sloppy side, but it’s getting straightened out.”
• On PM Keir Starmer: “I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal.”
• On UK-US Trade: He praised the trade deal between the two nations, calling it a result of his “special bond” with Britain.

Trump is set to visit the UK in September for a second state visit. When asked if he’d address Parliament, he joked, “Let them go and have a good time.”

Domestic Priorities: Border Security and Tax Cuts

Trump touted his administration’s success in reducing illegal border crossings and ramping up deportations. “We’re bringing [criminals] to El Salvador, lots of other places,” he said, referencing a controversial deportation deal.

He also celebrated his tax policies, calling them “the largest tax cuts in history.”

Legacy: “Saving America”

When asked how he hopes to be remembered, Trump declared: “Saving America. I think America is now a great country, and it was a dead country one year ago.”