Skip to main content
Tags: keith self | donald trump | putin | ukraine | russia

Rep. Self to Newsmax: Trump Needs to Play Hardball With Putin

By    |   Thursday, 07 August 2025 11:29 AM EDT

As speculation heats up about a potential summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladmir Putin, Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, told Newsmax Thursday the president has his work cut out for him.

"This will test President Trump," Self said on Newsmax's "National Report." "He will have to use every tool in his toolbox. He will have to be the master negotiator, because Putin thinks he is winning the war in Ukraine."

Self, who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said people should watch what both countries are doing in the background, with Trump moving two nuclear submarines off of Russia and Russia announcing they are pulling out of their self-imposed moratorium on intermediate range nuclear weapons.

"I don't think President Putin has any motivation to solve this," Self said. "I wish President Trump well, he will have to play hardball with Putin in Russia."

The Texas congressman said he hopes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also included in any summits.

"Putin wants all of Ukraine," Self said. "They want not just the eastern parts that they occupy, but they want all of Ukraine. That is their goal. That's their stated goal. And it hasn't changed through the progress of this war."

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight’s special series and President Trump’s comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.

Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!

Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com

Sam Barron

Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Newsmax-Tv
As speculation heats up about a potential summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladmir Putin, Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, told Newsmax Thursday the president has his work cut out for him.
keith self, donald trump, putin, ukraine, russia
341
2025-29-07
Thursday, 07 August 2025 11:29 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved