Trump lifts the curtain on private Putin talks: We’ve had more than one call Interview with Washington Examiner

President Donald Trump lauded his recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, emphasizing a breakthrough agreement that will bring an immediate ceasefire on energy and infrastructure. He also revealed that this was not their first conversation in recent weeks.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Washington Examiner at the White House on March 18 afternoon — just hours after his two-hour conversation with Putin — Trump described the outcome as a significant step, per Caliber.Az.

“It’s a big thing — an immediate ceasefire on energy and infrastructure,” he said.

Although the agreement does not constitute a full ceasefire, as it only applies to specific targets, Trump framed it as a promising development.

“It will lead to other things,” he added. “I think we’ll end up making a deal. It’s a good start.”

Trump further disclosed that his talks with Putin had been ongoing for weeks before the March 18 discussion.

“It was a very good call,” he said. “I think it’s the beginning of something good. The beginning really took place three or four weeks ago. You know, I’ve spoken to Putin over — this isn’t just a call that began it. We’ve had other calls.”

When the interviewer noted that these prior conversations had not been publicly disclosed, Trump acknowledged the secrecy.

“No, but this is a continuation of positive,” he responded. “If it was not positive, I’d tell you.”

Looking ahead, Trump suggested that a full ceasefire could be the next step.

“Probably a full ceasefire at the appropriate time. It’s hard right now because you’ve got guys looking at each other with gun barrels … but the next thing would be a full ceasefire and a deal.”

Asked whether such a resolution was still far off, he responded optimistically.

“No,” Trump said. “I think it will go pretty quickly.” However, he noted that both Russia and Ukraine must agree for progress to be made.

When pressed on how he could pressure Putin into further concessions, Trump remained vague but confident.

“Well, I don’t want to get into it, but there are good reasons why [Putin] would do this,” he stated. “But if I wasn’t here, he would never do it.”

Trump also took the opportunity to criticize past administrations, arguing that they failed to engage with Russia effectively.

“They weren’t talking at all,” he said. “Biden wasn’t capable of talking.”

Explaining his motivation for seeking a resolution, Trump cited both humanitarian and financial concerns.

“I’m doing this because of the fact that number one, I don’t want people to die,” he said. “And number two, I don’t like the fact that we’ve spent, in my opinion, $350 billion. You know, they like to say $190 billion, $200 billion — whether it was or not, we’ve spent in my opinion $350 billion, with nothing to show. Much more importantly, people are being killed. They’re not from our country, but that could easily be a third World War at some point.”

The conversation between Trump and Putin was conducted via an audio-only call, with no video. Asked whether he could gauge anything from Putin’s tone despite the language barrier, Trump offered his impression.

“Putin was very solid, very strong, which he is,” he said. “It was a very good call. I know him very well. I think he is very serious that he wants to end it.”

By Tamilla Hasanova