Russian President Vladimir Putin suggests the 2020 US election outcome contributed to the Ukraine war, reiterates Moscow’s readiness for peace talks.
Moscow [Russia], January 25: Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that the ongoing Ukraine crisis might have been avoided if former US President Donald Trump had been in office, suggesting that the 2020 US presidential election results played a role in the conflict’s emergence.
Speaking to a Russian TV channel, Putin echoed Trump’s claims that the election was “stolen” while expressing Moscow’s willingness for peace talks.
Putin said, as reported by CNN ….
“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’s Stance on Negotiations
Reiterating Russia’s readiness to negotiate on the Ukraine issue, Putin added, “We have always said, and I will emphasize this once again, that we are ready for negotiations on the Ukrainian issue.” The Kremlin further emphasized that Moscow is awaiting “signals” from Washington regarding potential peace talks.
Trump’s Take on Ukraine
Former US President Trump has frequently claimed he would have prevented the Ukraine war and has pledged to end the conflict swiftly. “I think Russia should want to make a deal. Maybe they want to make a deal,” Trump said earlier this week. He indicated that both Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin were open to finding a resolution, expressing his willingness to meet Putin “immediately” to save lives lost on the battlefield.
During his virtual address at the World Economic Forum, Trump described the Ukraine conflict as one of the deadliest since World War II. He emphasized the urgency of peace talks, saying, “Every day we don’t meet, soldiers are being killed in a battlefield.”
Potential Economic Ramifications for Russia
Trump has previously warned of imposing significant economic penalties on Russia, including “taxes, tariffs, and sanctions,” should the conflict persist. However, his administration has yet to outline a concrete plan for achieving peace in Ukraine.
Background on Trump-Putin Relations
Trump has often expressed admiration for the Russian people and described his past relationship with Putin in favorable terms. He has also highlighted Russia’s sacrifices during World War II, calling for collaborative efforts to end the ongoing crisis.
With both Trump and Putin signaling openness to negotiations, the prospect of resolving the Ukraine conflict may hinge on future diplomatic engagements between the US and Russia.