Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly supported Donald Trump’s assertion that the war in Ukraine would not have started had Trump won the 2020 presidential election. “I can confirm that,” Putin stated during a press conference following a meeting with Trump in Alaska. This claim echoes Trump’s statements made frequently on the campaign trail and since he reclaimed the White House.
Putin further reflected on past communications with the previous U.S. administration, highlighting his efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating. “I tried to convince my previous American colleague that the situation should not be brought to a point of no return,” he noted. His reassurance serves to underscore the complex dynamics between the U.S. and Russia, as Putin lamented the low point of relations prior to Trump’s presidency. He pointed out the absence of summits between the two nations over the last four years, calling this a detrimental situation for both countries and the world. “That’s not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole,” Putin said.
Complimenting Trump’s approach, Putin praised his “strive to get to the crux of the matter” regarding the war’s origins. “This commitment is precious,” he remarked. The Russian leader expressed hope that under Trump, a new chapter in diplomacy could lead to mutual understanding and beneficial relations, even in difficult times. “Overall, President Trump and I have built a very good business-like and trustworthy contact,” Putin asserted, suggesting that leveraging this relationship could facilitate a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Contrasting this viewpoint, critics have dismissed the optics of Trump’s meeting with Putin. They likened it to past encounters where tensions ran high, notably referencing a contentious negotiation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump has repeatedly placed blame on Biden and Zelenskyy for the war, stating, “Biden could’ve stopped it, Zelenskyy could’ve stopped it, and Putin should’ve never started it.” This blame game illustrates the ongoing divisiveness surrounding U.S. foreign policy and its implications in global affairs.
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