President Trump confirmed he is currently negotiating with President Putin on Ukraine and several other pressing issues, explaining that interrupting diplomacy at this stage would undermine the deals he is working to secure.
"Of course, we're negotiating with him on Ukraine, so I'm not looking to break up negotiations right in the middle — and by the way, I have the right to do that at any time, immediately, so if things don't work out, I can always do it," Trump said.
Negotiations Extend Beyond Ukraine
The president indicated the talks with Russia are broader than the war in Ukraine, covering Iran, hostages, and diesel. He credited Moscow's behavior on Iran as a positive development.
"We also have a very good situation with respect to Iran. It's laying off Iran. It's nice because we're hitting Iran very hard, as you know. And economically, as well as militarily. And Russia has done nothing there that we can see. And I think that's a very positive," Trump said.
Trump Defends His Negotiating Strategy
Trump explained his approach as the standard practice of a dealmaker, arguing that putting pressure on negotiating partners while talks are ongoing would be counterproductive.
"I'm in the midst of negotiating a deal. When you're negotiating a deal, you don't do that to the people you're negotiating with," the president said.
He added, "Also, I'm negotiating with them on Iran because they've been very well-behaved on Iran. Also, I'm negotiating with them on hostages. And I'm also negotiating on diesel."
Confidence in Results
Trump expressed confidence in his administration's progress, pointing to his rally crowds and polling shifts as evidence that the American people back his approach.
"I'm the one that got up there. I'm the one that's winning. I'm the one that's doing the rallies that's taking people into a winning position. When you look at what's happened, when you take a look at what's happened since I've been doing these massive, totally sold out rallies. Nobody's ever seen anything like it," Trump said.
