White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sidestepped a direct question from Fox News’ Peter Doocy about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is the “good guy or the bad guy” in the Ukraine conflict.
Doocy asked the question ahead of President Donald Trump’s phone calls with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Putin ghosted everybody at these peace talks last week,” Doocy said. “As President Trump phones him to try to figure out an end to the Ukraine war, does he think Putin is the good guy or the bad guy?”
Leavitt avoided the question, stating, “I will let the president speak on that conversation later. He’s made his feelings about both sides of this war quite clear throughout it. He wants to see it end.”
In contrast, Trump has been outspoken about his views on Zelensky. In February, he called Zelensky a “dictator” on Truth Social. Days later, Trump and Vice President JD Vance clashed with Zelensky during a tense Oval Office meeting.
Trump has been less confrontational with Putin. During a recent interview with Bret Baier, Trump was asked if he would “put the screws to Putin.” He dodged the question and changed the subject, offering no clear stance on the Russian leader.
Leavitt’s refusal to label Putin as either the “good guy or the bad guy” highlights the administration’s reluctance to take a firm position on Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict — leaving many to ask: What is Trump afraid of?
Watch the clip below via Fox News:
Fox’s @PDoocy: “Putin ghosted everybody at these peace talks last week. As President Trump phones him today to try to figure out an end to the Ukraine war, does he think that Putin is the good guy or the bad guy?”
Leavitt: “I’ll let the President speak on that conversation… pic.twitter.com/7XzuoU9i13
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) May 19, 2025
