Fact Check: Trump Tells Putin to End Ukraine War Before Mediating Iran-Israel Conflict
What We Know
On June 18, 2025, former President Donald Trump publicly rejected an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. During a press conference, Trump stated, “Do me a favor, mediate your own. Let’s mediate Russia first” (source-2). This comment came after Trump had previously indicated he was open to the idea of Putin acting as a mediator in the Middle East (source-3).
Trump's remarks highlight his frustration with the ongoing war in Ukraine, where he has sought to push for peace negotiations between Putin and Ukrainian leaders (source-4). He emphasized that resolving the Ukraine conflict should take precedence over any mediation efforts in the Iran-Israel situation.
Analysis
The claim that Trump told Putin to focus on ending the Ukraine war before mediating the Iran-Israel conflict is substantiated by multiple sources. Trump's direct quote during the press conference clearly indicates his stance on prioritizing the Ukraine situation over the Iran-Israel conflict (source-5).
The context of Trump's comments is critical. He has been vocal about his desire for peace in Ukraine and has expressed dissatisfaction with Putin's actions in the region, labeling them as "crazy" due to the continued attacks on civilian areas (source-2). This background adds credibility to his assertion that resolving the Ukraine conflict is a prerequisite for any further diplomatic engagements involving Putin.
The sources reporting on this event are reputable, including major news outlets such as the New York Post, Newsweek, and the Times of Israel, which have established editorial standards and fact-checking protocols. However, it is worth noting that Trump's statements often attract scrutiny and can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the political context and the audience.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump told Putin to end the Ukraine war before mediating the Iran-Israel conflict is True. Trump's statements during the press conference clearly indicate his prioritization of the Ukraine conflict over the Iran-Israel situation, and this has been corroborated by multiple reliable news sources.
Sources
- Trump Says Putin Should End His War Before Mediating Iran ...
- Trump rejects Putin offer to mediate Iran conflict
- Trump Slammed for Nod to Putin Mediator Role: "Astonished"
- Trump tells Putin to end Ukraine war before mediating Iran ...
- Trump scoffs at Putin's offer to help mediate Israel-Iran ...
- 'Let's Mediate Russia First,' Trump Says to Putin's Offer to ...
- Trump says US 'may' or 'may not' join Israel against Iran
- Iran-Israel live updates: Trump teases possible US attack