Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to engage in discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin’s remarks come in response to Trump’s recent warning, urging Russia to expedite an end to the conflict or face “high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions.”
In his first comments addressing Trump’s statements, Putin emphasized his willingness to negotiate, stating:
“We believe the current president’s statements about his readiness to work together. We are always open to this and ready for negotiations. It would be better for us to meet, based on the realities of today, to talk calmly.”
Putin described his relationship with Trump as “businesslike, pragmatic, and trustworthy,” praising the former U.S. president for his intelligence and pragmatism.
“He is not only a smart person, but a pragmatic person,” Putin told state media. “I have a hard time imagining there will be decisions taken that are detrimental to the American economy.”
The Russian leader acknowledged the complexities surrounding negotiations with Ukraine, highlighting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had signed a decree prohibiting direct talks with Putin. Additionally, Putin reflected on the broader geopolitical implications of the U.S. political landscape, asserting that the Ukraine conflict might have been avoided had Trump not lost the 2020 presidential election.
“I cannot but agree with him that if he had been president, if his victory had not been stolen from him in 2020, then perhaps there would not have been the crisis in Ukraine that arose in 2022,” Putin said.
