Did Melania Trump trigger the Trump-Putin breakup? What US President said | World News

US First Lady Melania Trump has drawn fresh attention after her husband and President Donald Trump suggested she played a role in shaping his perception of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
During a meeting at the White House on Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump recounted a conversation with his wife that reflected her scepticism about Putin’s intentions.
“My conversations with him [Putin] are always very pleasant. I say, isn’t that a very lovely conversation? And then the missiles go off that night,” Trump said.
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“I go home, I tell the first lady: I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation. She said: Really? Another city was just hit.”

I go home and tell the First Lady, “I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.” She says, “Oh, really? Another city was just hit.”
So it’s like—look, I don’t want to say he’s an assassin, but he’s a tough guy. It’s been proven over the years. He’s fooled a lot… pic.twitter.com/bXyJWYX08h
— Pete (@splendid_pete) July 14, 2025
Born in Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia, Melania Trump has previously appeared more openly supportive of Ukraine than her husband. Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, she urged her social media followers to donate to the Red Cross, calling it “heartbreaking and horrific to see innocent people suffering.”
During the meeting at the White House with Rutte, Trump announced that the United States would send Patriot anti-aircraft batteries and interceptor missiles to Ukraine, with the cost covered European allies.
Trump said additional Patriot systems would be dispatched within days, financed Germany and other NATO partners — a move seen as a significant boost to Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. Kyiv currently operates only six functioning Patriot batteries.
The announcement drew appreciation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed his thanks on Monday evening.Story continues below this ad
“I am grateful to President Trump for his readiness to support the protection of our people’s lives,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.
He also described a recent meeting in Kyiv with Trump’s special representative to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, as “productive,” and later confirmed that he had spoken with both Trump and Rutte following the announcement.