Trump: "Putin Thinks He Has the Upper Hand... Not Ready to End the War"

Change in Stance Detected During Calls with European Leaders

It has been reported that U.S. President Donald Trump recently acknowledged in phone conversations with several European leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of ending the war immediately.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 21st (local time), citing sources, that President Trump said in recent calls, "President Putin believes he has the upper hand," and "He does not seem ready to end the war yet." This marks a reversal from previous assessments that "President Putin, deep down, wants to end the war."

AFP Yonhap News

WSJ pointed out, "European leaders had already suspected President Putin's intentions to some extent, but this is the first time President Trump has revealed that his own assessment has now become similar to theirs."

Previously, on May 18 and 19, President Trump held consecutive phone conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. WSJ added that President Trump spoke with these leaders before his 'two-hour call' with Russian President Putin.

It was reported that there was a subtle shift in President Trump's stance during the calls over the two days. For example, in the call on the 18th, he indicated that if President Putin rejected a ceasefire proposal with Ukraine, sanctions could be imposed on Russia. However, in the call the following day, he argued that working-level talks between Russia and Ukraine should be expedited, according to WSJ. This suggests a shift toward the Russian side's demand that negotiations should precede a ceasefire.

Trump's willingness to mediate an end to the war also appeared to wane somewhat. In the call on the 18th, President Trump stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy for the Ukraine War Keith Kellogg would be dispatched to the Russia-Ukraine peace talks. However, on the 19th, he did not make a clear statement about the U.S. role.

Regarding the 'unconditional ceasefire' plan advocated by some European leaders, President Trump himself drew a line, saying he does not like the term 'unconditional' and has never used it. However, an official involved in the call with President Macron described the tone of President Trump's conversation as positive, conveying the impression that the United States would support sanctions if Russia rejected a ceasefire proposal. However, after his two-hour call with President Putin on the same day, President Trump appeared to lean toward the Russian position, disappointing European expectations, according to WSJ.