The press conference was devoted to the departure of the American billionaire Ilon Mask from the government, but Trump was asked one question about the Russian war against Ukraine.
The journalist, speaking of the war, said that Trump and his team have to deal with “very stubborn Vladimir Putin.” Trump interrupted the journalist to answer.
“Yes. And with Zelensky. The very stubborn Zelensky is also,” the US president emphasized.
Then the journalist continued and asked Trump, he, given what is happening on the front line, considers Putin a “good guy” or a “bad guy”. Trump spoke a minute, but did not give a direct answer to this question. He said that he was disappointed with the last missile attacks of Russia on Ukraine and that he wants the war to end, and speaking of Putin, he remembered the 2016 election campaign, when he was first elected president. Then the US investigated the possible intervention of Russia in the elections.
“I know him very well, and we have experienced a lot with him, because … [Эта история] With Russia … You know, “Russia, Russia, Russia” – turned out to be a complete deception. The New York Times received [за материалы о вмешательстве] Pulitzer Prize – they need to return it. This is my lawsuit, and everything goes very badly on it. But they wrote articles in which it was said that it was true, but in fact – a lie. The same is the Washington Post, ”he said.
Reporter: You have to Deal with a Very Stubborn Vladimir Putin.
Trump: and Zelenskyy. Very Stubborn Zelenskyy, Too.
R: do you see putin as the good guy or bad guy?
Trump: I Was Surprised and I Donat Like Being Surprisesed, So I'M Very Disappointed.pic.twitter.com/gi0llydwm7
– Ostap yarysh (@ostapyarysh) May 30, 2025
Context
Trump, who, together with his team, acts as an intermediary in negotiations on the settlement of the Russian war against Ukraine, repeatedly said that he has “very good relations” with Zelensky and Putin. But at the same time during negotiations on the end of the war, as noted The Washington Post, he much more pressed on Ukraine and onlyNogen expressed dissatisfaction with Russia. He called Zelensky a “dictator”, but refused to call Putin dictator, explaining this by “” does not use such words frivolously. ” Trump also said that he thought with Zelensky “It will be easier to deal with. ”
In recent days, Trump's criticism against Putin intensified. Commenting on the massive rocket-crushed attacks of Russian invaders on Ukraine in May Trump said that “Putin has gone crazy” and that he “plays with fire.”
