Putin claims 'Ukraine war could have been averted if Trump’s 2020 victory was not stolen'
PTC Web Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the Ukraine conflict might not have occurred if Donald Trump had been in power, aligning himself with Trump’s long-standing claims about the alleged "stolen" 2020 US election. In a statement aired on Russian television, Putin said, “I can't help but agree with [Trump] that if his victory had not been stolen in 2020, then maybe there would not have been the crisis in Ukraine that arose in 2022.”
Putin also reiterated Moscow’s readiness for negotiations to resolve the Ukraine crisis. “We have always said, and I will emphasise this once again, that we are ready for negotiations on the Ukrainian issue,” he told a Russian TV channel. His comments followed a statement from the Kremlin that Moscow is waiting for “signals” from Washington regarding peace talks.
Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war in Ukraine would not have happened under his leadership. In past interviews, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to end the conflict swiftly, promising to achieve peace within a day if given the chance. More recently, he extended this timeframe to 100 days, delegating the task to his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg.
While Trump's potential administration has yet to unveil a concrete plan to achieve peace in Ukraine, he has claimed that both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are open to negotiations. In a recent statement to reporters, Trump said, “From what I hear, Putin would like to see me. We’ll meet as soon as we can. Every day we don’t meet, soldiers are being killed on the battlefield.”
Earlier this week, during a virtual address at the World Economic Forum, Trump called for an immediate resolution to the conflict, describing the war as one of the deadliest since World War II. He highlighted the devastating toll on both soldiers and civilians, emphasising the urgency of peace talks. Trump warned of severe economic consequences for Russia, including sanctions, taxes, and tariffs, if the war continues.
Trump also noted his admiration for the Russian people and his past positive relationship with Putin, suggesting this could pave the way for productive dialogue.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began in 2022, has resulted in widespread devastation and a significant loss of life. While both Moscow and Kyiv have occasionally signaled openness to dialogue, tangible progress toward a resolution remains elusive.
- ANI
