Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims regarding the 2020 election and the ongoing Ukraine war. Speaking in an interview with state TV, Putin suggested that the crisis in Ukraine might not have occurred if Trump had been in office during the period leading up to Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Putin echoed Trump’s controversial assertion that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” from him, agreeing that Trump’s victory could have prevented the current situation in Ukraine. “I cannot but agree with him that if he had been president – if his victory hadn’t been stolen in 2020 – then maybe the crisis in Ukraine that emerged in 2022 would not have happened,” Putin stated, according to AFP.
The Russian president went on to describe Trump as a pragmatic leader, suggesting that the two should meet to discuss pressing issues such as the Ukraine conflict and global energy prices. He emphasized that Trump’s approach would not have resulted in sanctions that could hurt the U.S. economy. “Therefore, most likely, it would be better for us to meet, based on the realities of today, to talk calmly on all those areas that are of interest to both the United States and Russia. We are ready,” Putin added.
Putin’s remarks followed statements from Trump, who had previously called on the Russian leader to strike a deal with Ukraine to end the war. In an address from the Oval Office, Trump criticized the ongoing conflict, describing it as “ridiculous” and causing unnecessary suffering. “That battlefield is like no battlefield since World War II… and I have pictures that you don’t want to see. Soldiers are being killed daily at numbers that we haven’t seen in decades. It would be nice to end that war. It’s a ridiculous war,” Trump said.
The exchange between Putin and Trump adds another layer to the already complex geopolitical situation, highlighting the contrasting views between the U.S. and Russia on the war in Ukraine. While the Biden administration has stood firm on supporting Ukraine, Trump’s rhetoric suggests a more isolationist approach, focusing on ending the war through negotiation rather than confrontation.
As both leaders continue to weigh in on the situation, the world watches closely to see if their proposed solutions will gain traction on the international stage. Putin’s remarks only add to the growing tension surrounding the ongoing conflict and the global community’s response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
