Washington – President Donald Trump stated on Friday that his administration has engaged in “very serious” dialogues with Russia regarding its ongoing military action in Ukraine. He indicated that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could soon embark on “significant” steps aimed at resolving the prolonged conflict.
While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed optimism about the potential discussions. “We will be speaking, and I think we might do something substantial,” he remarked. He expressed a desire to conclude the war, reiterating that it likely wouldn’t have commenced if he were still in office.
Trump did not provide specific details about which members of his administration have been in touch with Russian officials, but he maintained that discussions were already underway between the two nations. When pressed about whether he had communicated directly with Putin, he chose not to confirm directly, stating, “I don’t want to say that.”
He has consistently claimed that the conflict would have been averted under his leadership, despite having served as president during heightened tensions in eastern Ukraine before Putin’s deployment of troops in 2022. Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since returning to the political arena, suggesting that Zelenskyy should have negotiated with Putin to stave off the hostilities.
In a January Fox News interview, he mocked Zelenskyy, stating that while he appeared “brave,” Ukraine relied heavily on U.S. financial aid to sustain its military efforts. “They were brave, but we gave them billions of dollars,” he added.
Additionally, Putin offered a complimentary view of Trump in a recent conversation with Russian state media, referring to him as a “clever and pragmatic man” who prioritizes U.S. interests. He echoed sentiments that if Trump had remained in the presidency, the crisis in Ukraine could have been averted.
This endorsement from the Russian president aligns with Trump’s claims of election fraud in 2020, which have been dismissed by numerous officials, courts, and even his own attorney general, all affirming that there is no evidence to support his assertions.
In his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration for allocating vast sums of taxpayer dollars to military and economic support for Ukraine as it counters Russian aggression.
Trump’s interactions with Putin have drawn significant scrutiny since his candidacy in 2016, especially after he urged Russia to locate and disclose Hillary Clinton’s missing emails. He openly sided with Putin regarding Russian interference allegations during the 2016 election, praising the Russian leader for being “pretty smart” for his actions in Ukraine.
