US President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that his administration has already held serious discussions with Russia about the ongoing war in Ukraine. He hinted that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin might soon take significant action to resolve the conflict.
Ongoing Talks with Russia
Trump shared with reporters in the Oval Office, “We will be speaking, and I think we will perhaps do something that’ll be significant. We want to end that war. That war would not have started if I was president.” Although he did not disclose who in his administration had been in contact with Russia, he emphasized that conversations were already taking place.
When asked directly if he had spoken with Putin, Trump answered cautiously, “I don’t want to say that.”
Trump’s Stance on the War
Trump has repeatedly stated that the war in Ukraine would never have begun under his leadership. However, it is important to note that his presidency coincided with rising tensions in eastern Ukraine and the early conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists. Furthermore, the situation escalated significantly in 2022 when Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine.
Criticism of Zelenskyy
In addition, since re-entering the political arena, Trump has been critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For instance, in a Fox News interview earlier in January, he mocked Zelenskyy’s bravery, arguing that Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. aid was crucial to its fight. “They were brave, but we gave them billions of dollars,” Trump remarked.
Putin Praises Trump
Moreover, in a recent interview with Russian state television, Putin expressed admiration for Trump, calling him a “clever and pragmatic man” who prioritizes U.S. interests. Putin suggested that if Trump had been president, the crisis in Ukraine might have been avoided. “We always had a business-like, pragmatic but also trusting relationship with the current U.S. president,” said Putin.
Putin’s statement also implicitly supported Trump’s claims regarding the 2020 election, which have been widely debunked. The Russian president agreed with Trump’s notion that the 2020 election was stolen, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Trump’s 2024 Campaign Promises
Looking ahead to the 2024 election, Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine quickly if he returns to office. He has also harshly criticized President Joe Biden for sending billions in U.S. taxpayer money to aid Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Trump’s Relationship with Putin
Finally, Trump’s ties with Putin have long been a subject of scrutiny, dating back to the 2016 campaign. For example, Trump publicly called on Russia to locate and release Hillary Clinton’s missing emails. Additionally, Trump sided with Putin over U.S. intelligence officials when it came to Russian interference in the 2016 election. Throughout, he has continued to praise Putin, even calling him “pretty smart” for invading Ukraine.