Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine might have been avoided had Donald Trump secured the U.S. presidency in 2020. In a recent interview, Putin praised Trump as a “smart” and “pragmatic” leader, aligning with Trump’s own assertions regarding the 2020 election outcome.
Putin conveyed his readiness to engage in discussions with President Trump concerning the situation in Ukraine, emphasizing Russia’s openness to negotiations on the matter. He reiterated Russia’s longstanding position of being prepared for dialogue on Ukrainian issues.
The Russian leader also echoed Trump’s unfounded claims about the 2020 U.S. presidential election being “stolen,” suggesting that if Trump had been in office, the crisis in Ukraine that escalated in 2022 might not have occurred.
In response to these developments, Ukrainian officials have cautioned against being excluded from any potential negotiations. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, emphasized that discussions about Ukraine should involve Ukraine, asserting that decisions about Europe’s fate should not be made without European participation.
These statements come amid ongoing hostilities, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces conducting drone and missile attacks. The conflict, which began in February 2022, has led to significant casualties and geopolitical tensions.
As the situation evolves, the international community closely monitors the interactions between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, seeking pathways to de-escalation and peace.
