Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to holding talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump about ending the war in Ukraine, praising him as “smart and pragmatic.”
In a rare comment about Trump, Putin said the conflict might have been avoided if Trump had remained in power after the 2020 U.S. election. “If his victory hadn’t been denied, we wouldn’t have this war,” Putin told Russian TV.
The Russian leader suggested leaving Ukraine out of the talks, claiming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decree prevents him from negotiating with Moscow.
Trump, who has recently threatened Russia with harsher sanctions if it refuses to negotiate peace, insists Kyiv is ready for a deal. Putin, however, seemed skeptical, arguing that calm, direct discussions could benefit both countries.
Kyiv has already opposed the idea of Trump and Putin deciding Ukraine’s fate, demanding to be included in any talks.
