Melania Trump stifles a laugh as Donald recounts awkward moment from call to Putin over Ukraine war

WASHINGTON, DC: In a revealing and somewhat uncomfortable moment during his latest remarks from the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump admitted that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered more admiration for first lady Melania Trump than for him during a phone call.

The comment came on the heels of a tense two-and-a-half-hour phone conversation between the two leaders, during which Trump attempted to revive his long-touted promise to negotiate an end to the devastating war in Ukraine, reports Irish Star.

However, what stood out from the debrief wasn’t a major diplomatic breakthrough - it was Putin’s blunt preference for the first lady.

Trump reveals Putin ‘likes Melania better’

“Putin just said they respect your wife a lot. I said, ‘What about me?’ They like Melania better. That wasn’t good,” Trump told reporters with an awkward smile, while Melania stood beside him, visibly holding back a laugh.

President Trump has long appeared to place a high value on his rapport with Russia’s leader, so the frosty remarks out of Moscow on Monday might’ve hit a sore spot.

To add to the moment, Melania seemed to stifle a smirk as Trump recounted the details of the phone call almost as if she found it hard not to laugh. Adding to the sting, Putin’s praise of Melania felt like a diplomatic slight.

Despite Trump's attempt at dialogue and pressure, Russia has shown no sign of slowing its military campaign.

Just hours after Trump boasted about his ability to pause attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, the Kremlin unleashed a massive aerial assault, striking residential buildings and sending a clear signal that Moscow isn’t backing down.

Sunday marked the largest drone offensive since the war began three years ago. Ukraine’s air force reported that 273 drones were launched by Russia across multiple regions. While 88 were shot down and 128 veered off course, the attack still caused at least one civilian death.

Internet reacts as Putin praises Melania during Ukraine talks with Trump

One user laughed at Trump’s reaction, “Lol, they like Melania better! Trump has always got jokes.”

Others suggested, “Donald, when Putin said ‘they respect your wife a lot,’ that was sarcasm.

“Probably because she is smarter and more rational, so that’s a good thing,” one commenter speculated.

“Still nothing accomplished. Putin keeps on pushing and gets stronger,” one user lamented.

“Every month, every week ‘I think we’re making progress,’ yet Russia continues attacks on Ukraine unprovoked the absolute BS and deceit between him and Putin portrayed as resolving an invasion is sickening,” another added. 

Others didn’t hold back on personal criticism, “Jeez, Trump needs to be sent to the dementia locked ward. He makes zero sense.”

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