Trump And Putin Discuss Ukraine War Amid Tensions Over Western Aid

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the ongoing Ukraine war would not have happened if President Donald Trump had not lost the 2020 election. Speaking to Russian state media, Putin alleged that the conflict, which began in 2022, could have been avoided under Trump’s leadership.

Putin described Trump as an intelligent and pragmatic leader, emphasizing that Russia remains open to discussions about the war. He suggested that if Trump had remained in office, the crisis would not have escalated to its current state.

The comments come at a time when Russia continues to criticize Western countries for supplying military aid to Ukraine. Russian officials argue that these actions prevent meaningful diplomatic efforts, calling the Ukrainian government “illegitimate.”

President Donald Trump, in response, reiterated his long-standing belief that the war could have been prevented under his leadership. On Truth Social, he warned of significant economic penalties for Russia if a peace deal is not reached soon. He suggested imposing tariffs and sanctions on Russian goods entering the US.

Ukrainian officials, however, rejected any negotiations that exclude European allies. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office stated that any peace process must involve all parties affected by the war, not just the US and Russia.

During his campaign, Trump frequently claimed he could have ended the war within a short period. Now, as his administration takes shape, speculation grows about whether his approach will lead to progress toward a ceasefire.

Sources in Moscow previously suggested that earlier peace efforts were disrupted by outside influences. Russian authorities have argued that Western nations pressured Ukraine to reject proposed peace agreements.