Kristina Roberts
Donald Trump has told the BBC he remains “disappointed but not done” with Vladimir Putin, during an exclusive phone call with the broadcaster.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump made clear his frustration with the Russian leader but stopped short of writing him off entirely. “I trust almost no one,” he said when pressed on whether he still trusts Putin.
The conversation came just hours after Trump announced a new package of weapons for Ukraine, alongside a stark warning to Russia: agree to a ceasefire within 50 days or face harsh new tariffs.
Despite previous criticism of NATO, Trump reaffirmed his support for the alliance during the call, saying he now believes it is “the opposite of obsolete” as member nations have begun paying their share. “Collective defence matters because it lets smaller countries stand up to bigger ones,” he noted.
Reflecting on his survival of an assassination attempt a year ago at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump admitted he avoids dwelling on it. “I don’t like to think about if it did change me,” he said. “Dwelling on it could be life-changing.”
Turning to his dealings with Russia, Trump expressed disappointment that potential agreements to end the war in Ukraine have repeatedly collapsed. “I thought we had a deal four times,” he told the BBC. “We’ll have a great conversation. I’ll think we’re close, and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv.”
Russia’s escalation of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine has resulted in record civilian casualties in recent weeks. Putin continues to insist he wants peace but argues the war’s “root causes” must first be resolved, blaming perceived threats from NATO, Kyiv, and the West.
When asked directly if he was “done” with Putin, Trump replied: “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him.”
The conversation also touched on Trump’s relationship with world leaders, many of whom he claimed respect him more now. “They see talent in getting elected twice,” he remarked. Asked whether leaders were sometimes overly flattering, he said, “I think they’re just trying to be nice.”
On the UK’s future, Trump described Britain as “a great place—you know I own property there.” While acknowledging Brexit had been “on the sloppy side,” he believed it was being sorted out.
He offered rare praise for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, despite ideological differences. “I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal.” Trump also highlighted the strong trade relationship between the UK and US, contrasting it with his lack of deals with the EU.
Looking ahead to his planned state visit to the UK this September—an unprecedented second visit for a US president—Trump said his goals were simple: “Have a good time and respect King Charles, because he’s a great gentleman.”
He said he saw no reason for the UK Parliament to reconvene just so he could address MPs, adding: “Let them enjoy their break.”
Addressing King Charles’s comments on Canadian sovereignty, following Trump’s controversial suggestion that the US might annex Canada, Trump dismissed concerns. “He’s wrapped up with Canada—what’s he gonna do? He has no choice. I thought he was very good, very respectful.”
Trump claimed ongoing US-Canada negotiations were “going to work out very well.”
Asked what he hoped his presidential legacy would be, Trump answered simply: “Saving America.” He added, “I think America is now a great country again. It was a dead country one year ago.”
