Putin Praises Trump, Blames Ukraine Conflict on West \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the Ukraine conflict could have been avoided if Trump were in office. Praising Trump as “pragmatic,” Putin also expressed openness to talks with the U.S. on issues like nuclear arms and economic policies. Both leaders criticized Western policies as contributing to the war.
Putin on Ukraine, Trump, and U.S. Relations: Quick Looks
- Putin Endorses Trump’s Stance: Says Trump’s leadership could have prevented the Ukraine war.
- Praise for Trump: Calls him a “clever and pragmatic man.”
- Criticism of Sanctions: Putin says U.S. sanctions hurt American interests and global stability.
- Russia Open to Talks: Putin mentions readiness for discussions on nuclear arms and economics.
- Oil Prices and Conflict: Trump links high oil prices to the Ukraine war; Kremlin disagrees.
- NATO and Security Concerns: Putin reiterates claims of threats to Russia’s security.
- Peskov’s Remarks: Kremlin spokesperson reiterates readiness for respectful U.S.-Russia dialogue.
Deep Look
Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again thrust himself into the U.S. political conversation, aligning with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that the Ukraine conflict could have been avoided if Trump were in the White House in 2022. Speaking in an interview with Russian state television on Friday, Putin described Trump as “clever and pragmatic” while also signaling Moscow’s readiness for dialogue with the U.S. on a range of issues, including nuclear arms control and economic cooperation.
Putin’s comments represent his most explicit endorsement of Trump’s narrative surrounding the 2020 U.S. presidential election and his handling of foreign policy. The Russian leader’s statements come amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Washington over the nearly three-year-long conflict in Ukraine, Western sanctions, and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Putin’s Endorsement of Trump’s Ukraine Claims
During the interview, Putin reinforced Trump’s repeated claim that the Ukraine war could have been avoided under his leadership. Referring to Trump as a “clever and pragmatic man” who prioritizes U.S. interests, Putin suggested their working relationship during Trump’s presidency was marked by a degree of trust and pragmatism.
“I couldn’t disagree with him that if he had been president, if they hadn’t stolen victory from him in 2020, the crisis that emerged in Ukraine in 2022 could have been avoided,” Putin said, delivering a clear nod to Trump’s baseless claims about the 2020 election being “stolen.”
This alignment bolsters Trump’s narrative that his foreign policy approach, which often included direct engagement with adversaries like Putin, would have prevented the escalation of conflict in Ukraine. However, critics point out that during Trump’s presidency, tensions in eastern Ukraine were already simmering, with fighting between Kyiv’s forces and Russian-backed separatists intensifying well before the large-scale invasion in 2022.
Trump has also suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could have avoided the conflict by making a deal with Putin. On Thursday, in an interview with Fox News, Trump said Zelenskyy should have negotiated terms to prevent the invasion, a perspective widely criticized as undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and efforts to resist Russian aggression.
Putin’s Framing of the Ukraine Conflict
Putin echoed familiar Russian justifications for the war, framing it as a defensive measure against NATO expansion and the protection of Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine. He also criticized Zelenskyy’s decision in 2022 to rule out negotiations with Moscow.
“How is it possible to conduct talks if they are banned?” Putin said, claiming that Kyiv’s legal framework prevented meaningful dialogue. He dismissed international criticism of Russia’s invasion, instead portraying it as a necessary response to Western actions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reinforced this narrative, stating that the conflict is a result of the West ignoring Russia’s security concerns, including Ukraine’s potential NATO membership. Peskov denied Trump’s assertion that high oil prices play a decisive role in prolonging the conflict, emphasizing that Russia’s actions are tied to national security rather than economic factors.
Economic Implications and the Role of Energy
Energy remains a central factor in the conflict and its broader implications. Trump suggested during a speech at the World Economic Forum that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) alliance, which includes Russia, shares responsibility for the ongoing war due to high oil prices. “If the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately,” Trump said, pointing out that energy exports form a significant portion of Russia’s revenue.
Putin countered by asserting that both Russia and the U.S., as major oil producers, have shared interests in stable energy prices. He expressed openness to dialogue with Washington to ensure energy markets remain balanced, emphasizing that neither country benefits from extreme price fluctuations.
Peskov, however, rejected Trump’s claims about oil prices being a determining factor in the conflict, instead reiterating that Russia’s actions are rooted in geopolitical and security concerns.
Putin’s Position on U.S.-Russia Relations
While Putin used the interview to praise Trump, he also conveyed Moscow’s willingness to engage with the current U.S. administration. He highlighted areas of potential cooperation, including nuclear arms control, economic issues, and global energy markets.
“We can have quite a lot of points of contact with the current administration and search for solutions to key issues of today,” Putin said. However, he criticized sanctions imposed by both the Biden and Trump administrations, arguing that they have undermined the U.S. dollar’s role in the global financial system and damaged U.S. economic interests.
The Kremlin’s mixed messaging—expressing readiness for dialogue while criticizing American policies—reflects Moscow’s complex relationship with Washington. On one hand, Putin seeks pragmatic engagement; on the other, he continues to frame Russia’s actions as necessary responses to perceived Western hostility.
Trump’s Threats and Kremlin Reactions
Trump’s recent comments about imposing tariffs and sanctions on Russia if the conflict isn’t resolved have caught the Kremlin’s attention. While Peskov acknowledged Trump’s history of sanctioning Russia during his presidency, he expressed hope for renewed dialogue should Trump return to the White House.
“This dialogue took place between the two presidents during Trump’s first presidency. And we are waiting for signals that we have not received yet,” Peskov said.
The Kremlin’s apparent openness to engagement with Trump aligns with Putin’s perception of the former president as a leader willing to prioritize bilateral negotiations over multilateral frameworks.
Geopolitical and Domestic Implications
Putin’s statements highlight the geopolitical stakes of the Ukraine conflict and its ripple effects on global power dynamics. By aligning with Trump’s narrative, Putin aims to deepen divisions within the U.S. political landscape while deflecting attention from Russia’s role as the aggressor.
Domestically, Putin’s praise for Trump and emphasis on dialogue with the U.S. serve to bolster his image as a leader open to diplomacy, even as Western sanctions and battlefield setbacks strain Russia’s economy and military.
For Trump, Putin’s endorsement reinforces his claims of foreign policy success and his ability to navigate complex relationships with global adversaries. However, critics argue that both leaders are leveraging these narratives for political gain, with little regard for the broader consequences of the conflict.
The Path Forward
As the war in Ukraine continues with no immediate resolution in sight, the interplay between U.S. and Russian leadership remains a critical factor. Putin’s overtures to Trump and implicit criticism of Biden’s administration underscore the challenges of managing U.S.-Russia relations in a highly polarized political environment.
While Putin expresses readiness for talks, his conditions—centered on Kyiv’s acquiescence and recognition of Russian demands—make meaningful negotiations unlikely. For the U.S., balancing pressure on Moscow with support for Ukraine will remain a key priority, regardless of which administration is in power.
As global energy markets, security concerns, and domestic political dynamics intersect, the stakes of the Russia-Ukraine conflict extend far beyond the battlefield, shaping the future of international diplomacy and stability.
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