CNN’s Brianna Keilar recently criticized Donald Trump for what she called ‘putting lipstick on a pig’ in response to Vladimir Putin’s non-committal statement about a potential ceasefire with Ukraine. During a news conference, Putin stated, ‘We agree with the proposals to stop the hostilities,’ but also noted that several issues required further discussion and hinted at needing a phone call with Trump.
When asked about Putin’s remarks during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump described them as ‘very promising’ but incomplete. He expressed a desire to meet with Putin quickly to resolve the matter. Co-host Boris Sanchez highlighted that Trump revealed new details about the negotiations, including discussions over specific pieces of land and control of the Zaporizhzhia power plant—the largest in Europe—which Russia currently controls.
Keilar pointed out that the Zaporizhzhia facility is crucial not just for Ukraine but also for other parts of Europe. She compared Trump’s portrayal of Putin’s statement to ‘putting lipstick on a pig,’ emphasizing that Putin was far from committed to the ceasefire proposal. Analyst David Sanger added that while Trump’s approach could lead to a ceasefire and save lives, it might also risk giving away too much if his priority is rebuilding relations with Russia rather than securing a fair deal for Ukraine.
The negotiations also touched on Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO, a question Trump noted Ukraine has known the answer to for years. Sanger warned that Trump’s diplomatic strategy could inadvertently undermine Ukraine’s position in ongoing talks. The situation underscores the complexity of international diplomacy and the challenges of interpreting world leaders’ statements.