Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could have been avoided if Donald Trump had been in power during the crucial years leading up to the war.
His remarks, made during an interview with a Russian TV channel, also echoed Trump’s claim that the 2020 US presidential election was "stolen," a claim widely debunked.
Putin’s comments hinted at a willingness to engage in talks with the former US president, emphasising Russia’s openness to negotiations regarding the Ukraine crisis. He stated that his country had always been ready for dialogue on the issue.
This statement comes as the Kremlin awaits "signals" from Washington about any potential talks. Putin’s suggestion marks the first instance where the Russian leader openly aligned with Trump’s assertion that his administration would have prevented the crisis in Ukraine.
Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed confidence that he could resolve the conflict in Ukraine swiftly. During recent statements, he claimed that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky had shown interest in reaching a deal and hinted that Putin might also be open to discussions.
Trump further stated his readiness to meet with Putin at the earliest opportunity, underscoring the urgency of stopping the ongoing violence.
Putin appeared to acknowledge these remarks, describing Trump as both "smart" and "pragmatic." However, he criticised the former US president’s recent threat of new sanctions against Russia, arguing that such measures would harm the American economy.
Putin questioned whether a leader with Trump's supposed pragmatism would implement policies detrimental to his nation’s economic interests.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Putin’s remarks, accusing the Russian leader of attempting to manipulate Trump to further Russia's agenda. Zelensky underscored Russia’s military ambitions and warned against allowing Putin to use diplomacy as a tool for manipulation.
He expressed confidence that Russia’s efforts to sway global leaders would not succeed, particularly in light of the ongoing war and the significant loss of lives on the battlefield.
Zelensky’s comments followed a meeting of Ukraine’s Supreme Commander in Chief Staff, during which discussions centred on Russia’s military capabilities and its intentions to prolong the conflict. He reiterated his commitment to resisting Russian aggression and achieving peace on Ukraine’s terms.
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