Overview

• Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made the claim at the PSD Summer University in Castelo de Vide, saying Trump “operates as an asset” and exemplifies a more emotionally driven style of leadership.
• He argued the new U.S. leadership has “strategically benefited” Russia and is seeking negotiations with Moscow that exclude Ukraine and Europe.
• The comments came after Trump’s Aug. 15 meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska and a follow‑on White House session where European leaders and Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed to be included.
• Reaction across Europe is divided, with Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte praising U.S. engagement, while Malcolm Turnbull and Grant Shapps condemn Trump’s posture toward Putin.
• No intelligence has been presented to substantiate the ‘asset’ claim, and a prior U.S. special counsel probe reported no evidence Trump was recruited by Russian services, though critics say his conduct raises questions.