Trump’s Putin Deference Alarms Ukraine and Europe, Wolff Says
WHO:
The Daily Beast - Trump said Zelensky “should have had this war settled a long time ago” and that he would have made “a much better deal” by listening to Trump.
CNN - Max Bergmann, Russia program director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Europe lacks equivalents to US systems such as Patriot interceptors, Starshield, and advanced missile-warning technology.
CNN - Natia Seskuria, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, and John Lough, head of international partnerships at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre, said recent US actions could strain European resolve and underscore the divide between Europe and the United States.
Euronews.com - A senior European official, speaking anonymously, said Trump’s fascination with Putin was difficult to understand and compared Russia’s economy to Italy’s.
Euronews.com - A second anonymous European official described Trump’s pro-Russian statements as “worrying and frustrating.”
Euronews.com - A senior European diplomat said there was “a clear feeling around the table that it is even more important to support Ukraine.”
The Daily Beast - The Wall Street Journal reported that several administration insiders said Trump knew about the reduction in Ukraine’s Starshield service; Trump denied the claims.
Alternet - Wall Street Journal columnist Holman W. Jenkins Jr. criticized Trump’s handling of Putin and said, “My theory explains 100 percent” of Trump’s Russia actions.
Alternet - CIA Director John Ratcliffe delivered an assessment of the Russia-Ukraine war to Russian security officials; he did not meet with Vladimir Putin personally.
Alternet - Ratcliffe later discussed his Moscow visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while their planes refueled in Ireland.
Euronews.com - US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb were involved in the reported diplomatic and military developments.
The Daily Beast - Author and Trump biographer Michael Wolff said Trump’s overtures to Putin may reflect ambitions for personal wealth after leaving office. Podcast co-host Joanna Coles asked, “Who among us thought that we would see an American president side with the aggressor, side with Russia?”
The Daily Beast - Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, previously called Wolff “a lying sack of s--t” and said he had “been proven to be a fraud.”
WHAT:
The Daily Beast - Michael Wolff said a White House insider believed Trump wanted to reach a $20 billion fortune before leaving office and have deals in place for him and his family to make $100 billion after returning to Mar-a-Lago. Forbes reported Trump’s estimated fortune reached $7 billion, about $2.7 billion more than when he returned to the political spotlight with his 2024 election victory.
Alternet - Holman W. Jenkins Jr. said Trump’s Russia actions were explained by his belief that doing whatever benefits him “in the next five minutes” serves his interests.
Council on Foreign Relations - Europe’s rearmament investments would take years to replace a reduced US commitment; until then, the United States remained the only outside power able to meaningfully affect the war’s outcome.
CNN - Kiel Institute data put total US aid to Ukraine at at least $131.5 billion since 2022, and EU countries and institutions’ aid at at least $228.5 billion. The Trump administration halted new aid packages at the beginning of 2025.
CNN - Ukraine ran out of Patriot interceptors the week before the article’s report; none of the ballistic missiles that struck Kyiv overnight into Thursday were intercepted.
CNN - Zelensky said Ukraine had repeatedly received no US intelligence warnings of ballistic strikes, leaving residents without usual air-raid alerts; Ukrainian officials said more civilians died as a result.
CNN - Trump asked Elon Musk in a phone call to restore Ukraine’s full Starshield access, according to a person familiar with the matter. Musk said usage limits are decided by the US military and ultimately the president.
CNN - Trump tied waiving sanctions to the release of detained American Stephen Hubbard, despite previously saying the United States gave Moscow “nothing in exchange” for his freedom.
Euronews.com - Republicans risk losing control of both the House and Senate amid voter disillusionment with Trump and inflation linked to high energy prices.
Euronews.com - Ukrainian government sources said Washington would not grant Kyiv a license to manufacture Patriot interceptors, despite earlier public promises by Trump. Zelensky later said Trump had approved the move, but no final licensing agreement was confirmed.
Euronews.com - Trump invited Putin to attend the G20 summit in December.
The Daily Beast - Trump said Zelensky should have settled the war earlier and claimed he could have made “a much better deal.”
Alternet - Jenkins said Russia’s advance had been halted and argued Putin’s war effort was running out of fuel.
Alternet - Ratcliffe assessed that neither side was winning: Russian forces had made no meaningful gains, while Ukraine had not pushed them out of occupied territory. US officials hoped the message would encourage Putin to negotiate.
Alternet - The International Energy Agency reported that Russian refinery throughput fell to its lowest level in more than 20 years in June, about 30% below the previous year. Ukrainian strikes hit a Russian refinery about once every three days during the first eight months of 2026; Russian gasoline production fell 20% and diesel production about 30%, prompting export restrictions.
Alternet - The CIA provides Ukraine with intelligence to identify and strike Russian energy targets. A Baltic intelligence officer described the operations as “much more aggressive” than under Biden.
Euronews.com - The article reported Trump aligned with Putin, agreed to a diesel deal, moved to ease sanctions, and appeared to sidestep punitive legislation he had signed. The Daily Beast reported Trump struck a deal to lift congressionally approved sanctions on Russian oil companies after allowing Russian diesel exports to the United States.
Euronews.com - Ukraine and European officials raised concerns about restrictions on Starlink, delays in US weapons deliveries, and interruptions to intelligence-sharing. The article said the early-warning system was later restored; the White House denied imposing restrictions for political reasons.
Euronews.com - Russia launched 21 ballistic missiles at Kyiv; three carried cluster-munition warheads. The article reported that Patriot interceptor missiles had not been delivered after Zelenskyy offered a 30-day pause in Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries in exchange for them.
Euronews.com - A US-backed, 28-point peace proposal called for Ukraine to cede territory, limit its armed forces, and permanently renounce NATO membership. European governments sought revisions.
Euronews.com - Trump urged Ukraine to hold elections and appoint “someone else” to negotiate with Moscow; Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections during wartime.
The Daily Beast - Wolff said a White House insider estimated Trump wanted a $20 billion fortune before leaving office, with deals that could enable Trump and his family to make $100 billion after returning to Mar-a-Lago. Wolff said Trump’s estimated fortune reached $7 billion, about $2.7 billion more than when he returned to the political spotlight with his 2024 election victory.
The Daily Beast - Wolff said Trump “wants to be an oligarch” and argued Putin’s access to money with little regulation explained Trump’s admiration for him. The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Beast’s request for comment.
WHERE:
Alternet - Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow for talks with Russian security officials; he later spoke with Zelensky in Ireland.
Euronews.com - The reported missile strike targeted Kyiv. Peace talks were organized in Oslo before Witkoff traveled to Moscow.
The Daily Beast - The podcast was recorded at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles.
WHY:
The Daily Beast - Wolff said Trump’s interest in and admiration for Putin stemmed from Putin’s access to substantial wealth with little regulation, and that Ukraine’s resistance frustrated Trump’s desire to make deals with Putin.
Euronews.com - A European official said Trump’s statements could be affected by political pressure ahead of the midterm elections; another said it was difficult to draw firm conclusions before the midterms.
Euronews.com - A European official said Putin wanted to establish a “greater Russia,” rather than pursue lucrative deals.
Alternet - Jenkins said Trump’s diesel deal reflected a desire for lower diesel prices and described Trump as acting based on what he believes will benefit him in the next five minutes.
Euronews.com - Kallas said Europe’s support had helped prevent Ukraine from surrendering on Putin’s terms. European officials said they feared Trump might prioritize a major deal over Ukraine’s interests.
The Daily Beast - Wolff attributed Trump’s approach to a desire for money and a post-presidency oligarch lifestyle; he said Ukraine’s resistance had frustrated Trump’s desire to make deals with Putin.
HOW:
Alternet - US and Russian intelligence officials communicated privately through an intelligence back channel referred to as “the channel”; Russian intelligence chiefs documented Ratcliffe’s assessment for Putin.
Euronews.com - European governments said they rejected proposals to release frozen Russian assets and resume Russian gas supplies as incentives in peace talks. European leaders said their strategy was to support Ukraine, pressure Russia, and engage with the United States.
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 13:03 UTC)
The war in Ukraine is exposing a widening rift between President Trump and European leaders, as Kyiv faces shortages of US-made air defenses and interruptions to American military support. Ukrainian officials say Patriot interceptors ran out, while Russian missiles struck Kyiv and gaps in US intelligence warnings left residents without familiar alerts. Trump asked Elon Musk to restore Ukraine’s Starshield access, but Musk said limits are controlled by the US military and ultimately the president. European officials called Trump’s pro-Russian statements worrying and said supporting Ukraine had become even more important. A US-backed peace proposal would require Kyiv to give up territory, limit its military and renounce NATO membership, prompting European governments to seek changes. Trump also criticized Zelensky, saying he should have settled the war earlier. Meanwhile, author Michael Wolff alleged Trump was pursuing enormous personal wealth, claims Trump’s communications director has forcefully rejected.
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(UPDATED October 24, 2026 09:01 UTC)
Ukraine is facing growing military and diplomatic pressure as US support becomes less certain. Kyiv ran out of Patriot interceptors, and 21 Russian ballistic missiles struck the capital, including three carrying cluster munitions. President Zelensky said Ukraine had missed US warnings of ballistic attacks, leaving people without their usual alerts. European officials voiced alarm over President Trump’s approach to Moscow and said supporting Ukraine was even more important. A proposed US-backed peace plan would require Kyiv to surrender territory, limit its military and renounce NATO membership; European governments are seeking changes. Trump also invited Vladimir Putin to the December G20 summit and urged Ukraine to hold elections, despite wartime restrictions. US intelligence sharing and Starshield access have faced disruption, though an early-warning system was restored. The CIA director told Russian officials neither side was winning, while Ukrainian strikes have sharply reduced Russian fuel production.
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(UPDATED October 24, 2026 00:08 UTC)
European officials are increasingly concerned that President Trump is aligning with Vladimir Putin, while stressing that support for Ukraine is now even more important. Their concerns come as Trump has invited Putin to the December G20 summit and urged Ukraine to accept a peace proposal requiring territorial concessions, a smaller military and permanent renunciation of NATO membership. European governments are seeking revisions and reject easing sanctions or restoring Russian gas supplies as incentives. Ukraine also faces concerns over delayed US weapons, intelligence interruptions and restrictions on satellite services, though an early-warning system was restored. Russia launched 21 ballistic missiles at Kyiv, while Patriot interceptors sought by Ukraine have not been delivered. In a separate diplomatic channel, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Russian security officials that neither side was winning, hoping to encourage negotiations. Ukraine’s strikes have also sharply reduced Russian fuel production, prompting export restrictions.
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(UPDATED October 23, 2026 20:11 UTC)
CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Russian security officials that neither Russia nor Ukraine was winning the war, hoping the assessment would encourage Moscow to negotiate. He did not meet Vladimir Putin, but Russian intelligence chiefs documented his message for the Russian leader. Ratcliffe later discussed his Moscow visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a stop in Ireland. The diplomatic effort comes as Russia faces mounting pressure on its energy sector: Ukrainian strikes have damaged refineries, cutting fuel production and prompting export restrictions. Meanwhile, a US-backed peace proposal would require Ukraine to cede territory, limit its military and renounce NATO membership, prompting European governments to seek changes. European officials have also raised concerns about disruptions to intelligence-sharing, weapons deliveries and Starlink access. Russia fired 21 ballistic missiles at Kyiv, while Ukraine’s requested Patriot interceptors had not been delivered. Europe says it will keep supporting Ukraine and pressuring Russia.
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(UPDATED October 23, 2026 13:24 UTC)
A US-backed peace proposal would require Ukraine to surrender territory, reduce its military, and permanently give up its NATO ambitions, while European governments push for revisions. President Trump also urged Ukraine to hold elections and choose someone else to negotiate with Moscow, despite Ukraine’s wartime ban on elections. Those developments come as Russia fired 21 ballistic missiles at Kyiv, including three carrying cluster munitions; Ukraine had not received promised Patriot interceptors. European officials have also raised concerns about US weapons delays, Starlink restrictions, and intelligence-sharing, though an early-warning system was restored and the White House denied politically motivated restrictions. Meanwhile, reports say Trump agreed to a diesel deal and moved to ease sanctions on Russian oil companies. Trump biographer Michael Wolff alleged that Trump’s approach reflects ambitions for personal wealth and admiration for Putin’s power.