Hillary Clinton Surprises With Praise for Trump’s NATO and Ukraine Agreements

In a rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgment, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered measured praise for President Donald Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts within NATO and his administration’s approach to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Appearing on the Raging Moderates podcast on Friday, Clinton said she was “genuinely encouraged” by recent developments in U.S.-European relations — particularly Trump’s success in securing increased defense spending from NATO allies and in brokering an agreement that places the financial burden of supplying Ukraine with U.S.-made weapons on NATO itself.

“I actually was encouraged by the events of the last several months,” Clinton said. “The NATO commitment by individual member states to increase their defense spending is very welcome. It’s something that prior administrations have certainly sought.”

Trump Pressures NATO — and Wins

In June, NATO leaders agreed to a landmark policy shift, raising their collective defense spending target from 2 percent of gross domestic product to 5 percent by 2035 — a move widely credited to pressure from Trump, who has long criticized European nations for not contributing enough to the alliance.

A month later, at the July NATO summit in The Hague, Trump followed that success with another surprise announcement: an agreement for NATO to cover the cost of U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems and other defensive hardware.

The deal effectively relieves U.S. taxpayers of part of the financial burden of arming Ukraine, a move that some analysts described as both “strategically bold” and “fiscally pragmatic.”

Clinton said that, for the first time in years, she sees “a better understanding” between Washington and European capitals.

“The willingness of European countries to support Ukraine — and by doing so, to buy American weapons to provide them to the Ukrainians — is a very good signal,” she said. “It shows there’s now a common understanding between the president, his administration, and our European allies that we share interests in transatlantic and Ukrainian security.”

She contrasted the current dynamic with what she described as the “dismissiveness” that characterized Trump’s first term, suggesting that his administration now appears more open to cooperation with long-standing allies.

“It’s a more obvious working relationship,” she added. “And that’s good for European, transatlantic, and Ukrainian security. So yes, I’m actually encouraged.”

Global Leaders Take Notice

Trump’s assertive stance at the NATO summit earned him unexpected accolades from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who publicly praised the U.S. president for driving the alliance’s renewed commitments.

“When somebody deserves praise, that praise should be given — and President Trump deserves all the praise,” Rutte said during an interview with The New York Times in July. “Without his leadership, without him being reelected President of the United States, we would never have achieved this agreement.”

According to reports, Rutte even jokingly referred to Trump as “daddy” at the summit, underscoring the degree to which his leadership style had influenced the outcome of the negotiations — a moment that sparked headlines across international media.

Looking Ahead: The Putin Meeting

Clinton’s remarks on the podcast came just before Trump’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska — a high-stakes encounter aimed at advancing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine after more than two years of war.

Podcast host Maya Jennings noted the timing, asking Clinton how she would approach the upcoming meeting if she were in Trump’s position.

“If you were en route to Alaska, what would you be looking to get? What would an acceptable deal look like? Or would you not be going to Alaska at all?” Jennings asked.

Clinton responded candidly that, in her view, she would not have chosen to meet with Putin directly. However, she said that since Trump was proceeding with the summit, she was cautiously optimistic about its potential outcome.

“If he could end the war without forcing Ukraine to concede territory or validate Putin’s vision of a greater Russia — if he can bring about a ceasefire that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty — then that would be a success,” Clinton said.

Her comments marked a significant tonal shift from her past critiques of Trump’s foreign policy, signaling a willingness to give credit where she believes progress has been made.

Trump Responds — With Humor

When asked about Clinton’s remarks by Fox News anchor Bret Baier aboard Air Force One en route to Alaska, Trump appeared amused by the unusual show of approval.

“That’s very nice,” Trump said with a grin. “I might have to start liking her again.”

The lighthearted exchange underscored the surprising nature of Clinton’s comments — and highlighted how dramatically political dynamics can shift when international security is on the line.

An Unlikely Moment of Agreement

While Clinton remains one of Trump’s fiercest political rivals, her words on Raging Moderates reflect a rare moment of bipartisan recognition. Analysts say her remarks also signal an emerging consensus across party lines on the importance of European burden-sharing and the strategic need to sustain Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

As one foreign policy expert put it, “When Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump agree on something — even briefly — the world should probably pay attention.”

Whether this spirit of cooperation endures or fades after the Alaska summit remains to be seen, but for now, Clinton’s unexpected endorsement has sparked new discussion about the evolving face of American diplomacy.