27.08.2026 22:31
US President Donald Trump said he believes Russia will not attack NATO territory. Pointing to his talks with Putin, Trump said, "I had productive talks with him. He will not attack NATO territory," while saying potential sanctions against Russia would be "depending on the situation."
US President Trump answered reporters' questions on current issues after a presidential decree signing ceremony held in the Oval Office.
"PUTIN WILL NOT ATTACK NATO TERRITORY"
Trump addressed the debates about whether Russia would launch any attack on NATO territory, emphasizing that he does not think Moscow will take such a step.
The US President responded to a question on the matter, saying, "(With Putin) I had productive talks with him. He will not attack NATO territory."
OPEN DOOR TO SANCTIONS ON MOSCOW
Trump also commented on the recent talks reportedly held between Russia and Iran regarding the "nuclear program," leaving the door open to imposing sanctions on Moscow over this issue.
Stating that the decision on sanctions is "situation-dependent," the US President said they would closely follow this process.
In response to a question about why the US has not imposed sanctions on Chinese banks reportedly in close ties with Iran, Trump also answered, "How do you know I haven't? Do I have to explain everything I do to you?"
WHAT HAPPENED?
It had been claimed that the purpose of the secret visit by US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe to Russia was to warn Russian officials to "avoid attacks on NATO member countries and the Baltic states."
US officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) had stated that Ratcliffe's visit came after recent US intelligence assessments predicting that Russian President Vladimir Putin could test NATO's resolve by launching an attack on an allied country within a few years.