M31GlobalNews, Moscow — Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that the Ukraine crisis may not have occurred if Donald Trump had been in office, reigniting debates about the former U.S. president’s foreign policy. In his comments, Putin also expressed openness to talks with Trump, should the opportunity arise under Trump’s new administration.
Putin Echoes Trump’s Claims About Ukraine
In a televised statement, Putin suggested that the war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022 under his orders, might have been avoided if Trump had won the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Putin referenced Trump’s repeated claims that the election was “stolen.”
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“I can’t help but agree with Trump that if his victory had not been stolen in 2020, then maybe there would not have been the crisis in Ukraine,” Putin said on Russian television.
Trump, for his part, has consistently said that the Ukraine war would never have happened during his presidency. He has also claimed he could end the war quickly, asserting he would need only “one day” to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Trump Calls for Peace Talks
While the new administration has yet to unveil specific plans for addressing the war, Trump recently claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is open to negotiations. Trump also hinted that Putin might be willing to meet to discuss a resolution.
“I think Russia should want to make a deal. Maybe they want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters on Thursday. He added, “Every day we don’t meet, soldiers are dying on the battlefield. I would meet with Putin immediately.”
Putin appeared to reciprocate, saying, “We have always been open to negotiations on the Ukrainian issue.” The Kremlin confirmed it is waiting for “signals” from Washington regarding talks.
Zelensky Responds to Putin’s Statements
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to push back on Vladimir Putin’s comments, accusing the Russian leader of trying to manipulate Trump and other global leaders to further Russia’s agenda.
“Putin wants to manipulate the desire of the U.S. president to achieve peace,” Zelensky said on Friday. “I am confident that no Russian manipulations will succeed anymore.”
Zelensky also highlighted Russia’s continued military aggression and questioned Putin’s sincerity about seeking peace.
Putin Questions U.S. Sanctions Warning
Putin’s comments came just a day after Trump issued a warning about potential new sanctions against Russia during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. While Trump suggested he may impose stricter measures on Moscow, Putin downplayed the idea, saying such sanctions could hurt the U.S. economy more than Russia’s.
“Trump is not only a smart person, but also a pragmatic one. I find it hard to believe he would make decisions that harm the American economy,” Putin remarked.
What’s Next for U.S.-Russia Relations?
Putin’s remarks have added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over the war in Ukraine. With Trump hinting at a willingness to meet Vladimir Putin and both sides signaling an openness to negotiation, some hope for progress toward ending the conflict. However, Zelensky remains skeptical, viewing any talks with Putin as a potential trap to manipulate global leaders.
Stay updated with M31GlobalNews for the latest developments on the Ukraine crisis and the evolving dynamics between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky.
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