On Friday, January 31st, President Trump of the United States stated that his government officials have engaged in “very serious” discussions with Russian officials to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He mentioned that himself and Russian President Putin may soon take “significant” actions to bring an end to this conflict.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Trump spoke with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, saying, “We will negotiate, and we may take some major actions.” He emphasized the desire to end the war, stating, “If I were president, this war would never have erupted.”
Trump did not disclose which individuals had been in contact with Russia, but he insisted that both sides “have been in talks.”
When asked if he had directly spoken with Putin, Trump replied, “I don’t want to say that.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that if he were in office, the Russia-Ukraine war would not have broken out.
After taking office, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, believing that he should have reached an agreement with Putin to avoid conflict.
In early January, during an interview with Fox News, Trump mocked Zelenskyy for speaking boldly while relying on U.S. aid in the fight.
“They are brave, but we gave them billions of dollars,” Trump said.
During a recent interview with Russian state television, Putin praised Trump as a “smart and practical person” who focuses on American interests.
Putin stated, “We have maintained commercial, practical, and mutually trusting relations with the current U.S. president.” “I cannot but agree with his views, if he had been president, if they had not stolen the victory from him in 2020, the crisis in Ukraine in 2022 could have been avoided.”
Putin’s acknowledgment of Trump indicates a mutual respect, as Trump continues to refuse to accept defeat in the 2020 election.
During his 2024 re-election campaign, Trump pledged to quickly end the Russia-Ukraine war and has criticized the Biden administration for spending billions of dollars to provide military and economic assistance to Kiev, aiding Ukraine in countering Russia’s actions.