White House insiders revealed some intimate details of the relationship between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a new report.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Trump and Putin have held “numerous calls” in the last few weeks, citing “U.S. officials and people familiar with their communications.” This comes asTrump tries to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Their conversations, according to a senior administration official, have been typically friendly,” The WSJ reported. “Trump often discusses his aim of a revived U.S.-Russian relationship propelled by growing economic cooperation. Putin lists his grievances and core desires, mainly international recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea and the Donbas region, much of which it has seized from Ukraine.”
John Bolton, Trump’s former national security advisor, told the outlet that Putin typically gives long-winded speeches when he is trying to manipulate someone.
“Putin does this very methodically,” Bolton said. “He’s very knowledgeable, he knows what he’s talking about. When he wants to try and influence somebody, he just talks and talks and talks.”
Even so, aides described Trump as being “anxious” to get a word in with Putin during these conversations.
“Their calls extend for hours sometimes due to lengthy Putin monologues and the need for translations, current and former U.S. officials said,” the outlet reported. “Trump, usually impatient and anxious to chime in, listens attentively, aides said.”