Trump caught in hot mic moment about Putin
Trump gathered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a handful of European leaders at the White House on Monday for a debrief of sorts after his high stakes meeting with Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska . While Trump said alongside Putin on Friday that they had had an 'extremely productive meeting,' Trump was unable to get Putin to agree to a ceasefire, with the Russian leader resistant to stopping the fighting telling reporters that Russia still needed to 'eliminate the primary roots, the primary causes, of that conflict.' The European leaders were gathered in Washington to discuss next steps - including security guarantees and getting kidnapped Ukrainian children back.
Trump first met with Zelensky in the Oval Office before leading a discussion in the East Room with the bigger group. The president invited NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Macron to take part. Zelensky's meeting in the Oval Office took on a dramatically different tone than the showdown in late February.
Both Trump and Zelensky were on better behavior. The Ukrainian leader showed up in a black tie-less suit, which Trump immediately complimented. 'We love them, we love them,' Trump told reporters when asked if he had a message for the Ukrainian people. In February Trump told Zelensky 'you don't have the cards,' pushing him to be more 'thankful.'
On Monday, Trump didn't take the bait when asked which side - Ukraine or Russia - had the better cards. 'Well I don't want to say that,' the president answered. After his meeting with Zelensky, Trump joined the other leaders in the Cross Hall for a 'family photo.' The leaders didn't smile, but Trump couldn't help commenting on the White House entranceway's new decor - the 'fight, fight, fight' image he had installed where former President Barack Obama's portrait used to hang.
'That was not a great day,' Trump commented, referencing the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt. Once inside the East Room, Trump was caught whispering with Macron, telling him his hope to get a trilateral meeting, which would be attended by Trump, Zelensky and Putin. Zelensky struck a positive tone about the Oval Office meeting.
'We had very good conversation and it really was the best one - maybe the best one will be in the future. But it was really good,' the Ukrainian leader said. Both Merz and Macron publicly pushed Trump to try and get a ceasefire as negotiations with the Russians continued after Ukrainian civilians continued to be killed over the weekend.
'Let's try and put pressure on Russia, because the credibility of this effort, these efforts were are undertaking today, are depending on at least a ceasefire from the beginning of the serious negotiations, from next stop on,' Merz said. 'I would like to emphasize this aspect and would like to see a ceasefire from the next meeting, which should be a trilateral meeting, wherever it takes place,' the German chancellor added.
Trump had previously said he had three locations in mind for a second meeting, floating a return to Alaska as well. Macron echoed Merz's comments. 'In order to organize such a trilateral meeting, your idea to ask for a truce, or ceasefire, at least to stop the killing as we discuss is a necessity and we all support this idea,' the French president said.
Macron also pitched there be a future meeting between Trump, Putin, Zelensky and the European leaders. 'I think as a follow up, we would need probably a quadrilateral meeting,' Macron suggested. 'Because when we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent.' As the press was leaving, Trump got caught on hot mic again.
'You do this everyday?' Stubb could be heard saying as reporters were ushered out after yelling questions their way. 'All the time,' Trump answered. Meloni chimed in, 'But he loves it, he loves it,' she said, noting how she doesn't like engaging with her press. Trump then told Meloni that Stubbs was a 'very good golfer you know.' 'I know, I know. But he says you always win,' the Italian leader told Trump.
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Scotsman
a few seconds ago
- Scotsman
Readers' letters: Trump is best hope we have of securing peace in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Monday (Picture:) A reader suggests Donald Trump may get a peace deal where other leaders have failed Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Trevor Rigg takes Donald Trump to task for being a 'patsy' etc when it comes to Vladimir Putin and Ukraine (Letters, 19 August). This may perhaps be true but, at the moment, a peace deal is still possible and it actually is Donald Trump leading the charge for this. Has Europe, or even our own globe-trotting Prime Minister, managed to influence Putin on their own? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Donald Trump seems to generate hugely negative headlines from some sections of the media but he has good ideas and he appears to get a lot more done for those who voted for him than most other politicians. If Mr Trump is wrong we will all soon know. The alternative to peace is war. Gerald Edwards, Glasgow Nato is the answer We didn't really expect Donald Trump to best Vladimir Putin single-handed, did we? Putin is quick to avenge any real or imagined slight. Russians who may have opposed or simply seriously annoyed Putin in some way have then mysteriously fallen out a top floor window or balcony. Or been poisoned. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I'm going into Salisbury tomorrow, where Putin's spies attempted to Novichok Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Putin is, in all respects, a ruthless and cold-blooded killer. Trump, neither a man of courage integrity or principle, is verifiably a coward; having faked an injury to avoid the Vietnam draft. But he's not a killer…. Apart from the Quisling Victor Orban, Nato countries are united in how to put Putin in his place. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad My own view? Make Ukraine a member of Nato. If Putin doesn't withdraw from all of Ukraine, he will face a Nato he cannot possibly defeat. Doug Morrison, Tenterden, Kent Notable absence The breathless and excited tones of broadcast journalists about the White House jamboree with practically all of the 'old Europe' leaders, Frau Von der Leyen and Paul Rutte of Nato is most revealing. None of them appear to be exercised in the least about their fellow journalists who have been mown down in cold blood by Israel in greater numbers than all other wars on record. As for the politicians, is it merely the case that we are on the side of the people to whom we have made lucrative arms donations? In the case of Britain, it seems there is a never ending flow of cash with no 'tough decisions' needing to be taken other than when it comes to our own people with their fast declining standard of living, already lower than that of the Irish and soon to be surpassed by the Poles and Romanians. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I guess it would be too much for them to caution Trump about his recent green light for Netanyahu to continue the slaughter of the Palestinian people. Marjorie Ellis Thompson, Edinburgh Limits of language James Kelman's remarks on language at the International Book Festival (Scotsman, 19 August), are puzzling: 'Imperial forces' are making writers too timid to use authentic languge, and our culture is in danger. We have here the strange phenomenon of a successful writer, and Booker Prize winner, who seems to have no clue about how language actually works. Of course struggling languages, and Gaelic is among them, remain fascinating. If there are only five speakers left of a language somewhere in the world, academics will get on a plane to go study it. Nationhood, politics, language and culture are all involved with one another. When Germany invaded its neighbours where there were some German speakers, they proceeded to 'Germanicise' the children there. Russia does the same in Ukraine, and the Irish make language part of their republcan struggle. Writers, however, are stuck with the language as it is, and how it is evolving. Their job is to communicate, whatever the economic and political forces acting on the language, which they do not lead. Therefore, if James Kelman cannot get himself published in the UK, he should perhaps think this through, and find out how language works. Crawford Mackie, Edinburgh Soft power Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Each August, Edinburgh becomes a global meeting point, drawing artists, cultural leaders, and audiences from more than 70 countries. Scotland's festivals are not just a celebration of creativity, they are a demonstration of the UK's internationalism in practice and a powerful expression of soft power. The British Council played a founding role in establishing the Edinburgh International Festival in the aftermath of the Second World War. Then, as now, the aim was clear: to build mutual understanding and foster reconciliation through cultural exchange. Nearly 80 years on, that mission remains critical. At a time of heightened global tension and rising authoritarianism, international collaboration through the arts strengthens the UK's reputation as an open, connected and trusted partner. This summer alone, the British Council is supporting cultural representatives from more than 34 countries participating in Edinburgh's August festivals. From supporting Ukrainian artists at the Fringe, launching a new season connecting UK-to Brazil and connecting Lebanon to the Art Festival, we're helping build bridges through culture. The impact is measurable: last year's work led to 27 new international collaborations. These are not one-off moments; they are long-term relationships that expand the reach of UK culture and reinforce the UK's global standing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At a time when global engagement is under pressure, the UK should continue to invest in the cultural spaces and platforms that best embody its values. Whether through festivals, artistic exchanges or international collaborations, these efforts demonstrate the UK as it aspires to be seen – creative, outward-looking, and committed to partnership across borders. Scott McDonald, Chief Executive, British Council Counter culture In commenting on the ineffectiveness of the church when judged against a business model, Doug Morrison (Letters, 18 August) apologises that he may offend believers. As a Christian, I am not offended. He is simply defining the church in accordance with the values of our society, which affirms the primacy of the individual and assumes fulfilment comes through satisfying personal needs and desires. But that has never been the purpose of Christianity. At the centre of Christ's teaching is the call to turn from self-centredness and, through Jesus himself, to restore our relationship with God, our creator. Until the early 20th century, schools in Scotland taught the Westminster Shorter Catechism, which begins: 'Man[kind]'s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.' This reflects the biblical truth that our primary purpose is not self-fulfilment but to honour God and find lasting joy in Him. Falling attendances tend not to be an issue for those churches which preach this counter-cultural message. Indeed there is evidence of growth particularly among young people who seek a deeper truth beyond the prevalent superficiality and hollow ideologies that surround them. George Rennie, Inverness, Highland Too little too late Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The UK Government has just confirmed an MOD report of a Serious Category A nuclear leak at Faslane between 1 January and 22 April this year. Now they tell us. Loch Long was contaminated in this latest leak. Is it still? Can we believe anything the Ministry of Defence tells us? How long was it before they even told the locals? There must be some worried people who live around and in Faslane or went sailing in the loch in spring. Does the Westminster government care? Not a bit. Scotland needs to protect itself and to do that, we need to govern our own country and to have any hope of doing so, love them or not, we'll have to vote for the SNP and get behind them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who wants Scotland to be treated as the UK's nuclear dumping ground? Not me! Elizabeth Scott, Edinburgh Banned books Cast your mind back to 2011. The National Library of Scotland staged a Banned Books exhibition. The then National Librarian and chief executive of the National Library of Scotland, said: 'Over the centuries many books have been burned, censored or challenged by the state and religious authorities, and society itself, because their contents did not conform to the political, religious or moral codes of their day. 'Libraries such as the National Library of Scotland have a vital role in freedom of expression and speech, allowing everyone to explore knowledge and ideas now and into the future. 'Our exhibition presents an opportunity for visitors to learn more about censorship… with a view to encouraging informed discussion and debate around these issues.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So – a major change in political code since then? And the library itself is now a censor? It's 'wheest no more' for me. When two major, historic institutions in our capital city seem to have fallen victim to political correctness on steroids, it's time for a silent majority to speak out. Let us have informed debate, with all sides of opinion allowed freedom of expression. Let's keep it calm, and avoid personal attacks. As one who campaigned for a Scottish Parliament, and felt honoured to be a member of the Constitutional Convention which helped shape it, it breaks my heart to feel so out of touch with the current political code. Moyra Forrest, Edinburgh Write to The Scotsman
Telegraph
a minute ago
- Telegraph
Trump abolishes ‘silly season' – and summer holidays are off
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The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
NATO defense chiefs hold virtual meeting on Ukraine security guarantees
NATO defense chiefs were due to hold a virtual meeting Wednesday, a senior alliance official said, as countries pushing for an end to Russia's war on Ukraine devise possible future security guarantees for Kyiv that could help forge a peace agreement. Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO's Military Committee, said that 32 defense chiefs from across the alliance would hold a video conference as a U.S.-led diplomatic push seeks to end the fighting. U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's supreme allied commander Europe, will take part in the talks, Dragone said on social platform X. U.S. President Donald Trump met last Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and on Monday hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and prominent European leaders at the White House. Neither meeting delivered concrete progress. Trump is trying to steer Putin and Zelenskyy toward a settlement more than three years after Russia invaded its neighbor, but there are major obstacles. They include Ukraine's demands for Western-backed military assurances to ensure Russia won't mount another invasion in coming years. 'We need strong security guarantees to ensure a truly secure and lasting peace,' Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post Wednesday after Russian missile and drone strikes hit six regions of Ukraine overnight. Kyiv's European allies are looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement, and a coalition of 30 countries, including European nations, Japan and Australia, have signed up to support the initiative. Military chiefs are figuring out how that security force might work. The role that the U.S. might play in is unclear. Trump on Tuesday ruled out sending U.S. troops to help defend Ukraine against Russia. Russia has repeatedly said that it would not accept NATO troops in Ukraine. Attacks on civilian areas in Sumy and Odesa overnight into Wednesday injured 15 people, including a family with three small children, Ukrainian authorities said. Zelenskyy said the strikes 'only confirm the need for pressure on Moscow, the need to introduce new sanctions and tariffs until diplomacy works to its full potential.' ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at
