Hypothetical Discussion Between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on the War in Ukraine
Setting: A private, secure meeting in a grand room somewhere in a neutral location. Both men are seated across from one another. The atmosphere is tense but filled with mutual respect as two powerful figures confront the issues of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump: smiling slightly Well, Vladimir, you know, we’ve had our differences, but let’s cut to the chase. Ukraine. It’s a mess, right? Total disaster. It didn’t have to be this way, believe me. If I was in charge, things would be much different by now.
Putin: nodding Yes, Donald. I know. You’ve made that clear many times. You always said you would’ve handled it differently. But let’s be honest, the West’s expansion, NATO’s provocations—it all made this inevitable. Russia had no choice but to act.
Trump: leaning forward Look, I get that. You were pushed. NATO kept expanding, and let me tell you, I wasn’t a big fan of that. I told Merkel, I told Macron, I told all of them—don’t provoke Russia. I even warned NATO that they needed to pay up. But now, here we are. The war’s dragging on, sanctions are biting, and I just don’t see how this is working out for anyone, least of all you. What’s your endgame?
Putin: eyes narrowing The situation in Ukraine is complex. The West will never understand Russia’s historical ties to Ukraine. For centuries, we have shared culture, language, and religion. The idea that Ukraine could fall completely into the hands of the West—it’s unacceptable. Kyiv is the cradle of our civilization. The Ukrainian government has been used as a puppet by the U.S. to wage a proxy war against Russia. They’re not independent. They never have been.
Trump: raising an eyebrow I hear you, believe me. But let’s talk business. When I was president, I built relationships. Relationships based on respect, on understanding. Now, I don’t agree with the way Biden’s handled this, okay? I think the guy is a total disaster. But even you have to admit, this war’s cost you. Billions of rubles, sanctions piling up, your people feeling the pressure. I don’t see how this is helping you long-term.
Putin: calm but assertive I understand the costs. But we Russians have always endured hardship when necessary. We are prepared for a long fight. It’s not about short-term profits; it’s about protecting our sovereignty. The West wants to weaken Russia permanently. They thought sanctions would crush us, but we’ve weathered worse. And I’m sure you’re aware that Europe is struggling with energy prices. Winter is coming, Donald. They’re vulnerable. They’ve sanctioned themselves as much as they’ve sanctioned us.
Trump: nodding, leaning back Yeah, I saw that. Biden’s got them buying energy at sky-high prices. Meanwhile, they’re cutting deals with anyone they can find, just to avoid turning the lights off this winter. It’s a mess. But let me ask you something, Vladimir. What’s the deal with these Ukrainian offensives? They’re making moves, taking back territory. The longer this drags on, the more unpredictable it becomes, right? You can’t have expected this level of resistance.
Putin: sighing, but resolute The Ukrainians have been trained and supplied by the West. This isn’t just a Ukrainian fight—it’s NATO’s weapons, NATO’s intelligence. Without Western support, the Ukrainian military would collapse. Yes, they’ve retaken some territory, but the situation is far from decided. We are regrouping, adapting. The Ukrainian people are suffering under their own government, and eventually, the cracks will show. Zelensky is holding onto power by feeding his people lies and depending entirely on Western aid. His government is corrupt and fragile.
Trump: shrugging I never trusted Zelensky. The guy’s got a lot of Hollywood in him, but not much else. He’s good at making speeches, but I don’t see how he’s going to survive in the long run, especially if the West decides to cut the cord. You’re banking on that, aren’t you?
Putin: smiling slightly We are prepared for any outcome. But I know the West better than most. Their attention span is short. They talk about supporting Ukraine, but they grow tired of the costs. Inflation, energy shortages, political unrest. How long will they continue? That is the real question.
Trump: nodding You might be right about that. People are getting sick of this in America, too. They don’t want to be involved in another war halfway around the world. But here’s what I don’t get, Vladimir. Why not cut a deal? I’m a dealmaker, right? You’ve made your point. You’ve shown the world you won’t be pushed around. Why not sit down at the table now and hammer something out before this thing spirals any further?
Putin: pausing, choosing his words carefully A deal, yes. I’ve always said I’m open to negotiations. But not from a position of weakness. Russia won’t be humiliated. Any deal must recognize our legitimate security concerns. We can’t accept Ukraine becoming a NATO stronghold on our border. The West has to understand this. If they are willing to negotiate seriously, without treating Russia like a defeated enemy, we can find a way forward.
Trump: smirking Well, I’ll tell you one thing—Biden isn’t going to get you that deal. The guy can barely put a sentence together, let alone handle complex negotiations. You need someone who knows how to get things done, who understands leverage. That’s what I did with North Korea, with China. I knew how to bring people to the table. But right now, it looks like no one’s interested in making that move. And the longer this drags out, the worse it gets for everyone. You might be toughing it out, but Europe’s in trouble, and so is the global economy.
Putin: seriously You’re right, Donald. The global order is shifting. The war in Ukraine is just one part of a larger struggle. The U.S. is losing its dominance. New powers are rising. China, India, even the BRICS countries. The sanctions have pushed us to strengthen our ties with them. The West is isolating itself, not Russia.
Trump: thoughtful Yeah, I see that. You’re working with China, cutting deals with India on energy. You’ve even got Saudi Arabia cozying up to you. But that’s also a dangerous game. You know China’s ambitions. You’ve got to be careful there. They’re not exactly loyal partners.
Putin: nodding slowly I’m aware of the risks. But in the multipolar world that is emerging, alliances will shift. What matters is that Russia remains strong and sovereign. We will not be dictated to by Washington, by NATO, or by anyone else.
Trump: leaning forward That’s all well and good, but if this war keeps going, and if NATO keeps funneling weapons into Ukraine, it’s going to be harder to pull back. You’re risking a bigger conflict. And let me tell you, the world can’t afford that right now. If I were in charge, I’d have gotten the best deal possible—one that works for everyone. But Biden? Forget it.
Putin: calmly Perhaps, Donald. But for now, the war will continue. And so will Russia.
The conversation ends with both men understanding their positions but unwilling to concede any ground. The room remains filled with tension, but also mutual recognition of the difficult realities both face.