Putin claims Ukraine crisis stems from Trump’s 2020 election loss, expresses readiness for negotiations with the new US president.

Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukraine conflict could have been prevented if Donald Trump had won the 2020 election.

He described the ongoing war as a ‘crisis’ and expressed that the bloodshed in eastern Europe might not have occurred under a Trump presidency. Putin praised Trump as ‘smart and pragmatic’ and indicated his openness to negotiations concerning Ukraine.

Despite this, remarks from Putin’s Foreign Ministry criticized Western arms supply to Ukraine and questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office insisted that any peace talks would require European representation.

Trump had previously claimed he could resolve the war quickly if he had been president. Just after beginning his second presidential term, there have been no signs of an imminent resolution to the conflict.

He recently warned Putin of potential taxes and sanctions if Russia does not agree to peace talks.

Advisers suggested that military aid to Ukraine could be curtailed if Kyiv does not agree to a deal. Trump criticised Zelensky, implying that the Ukrainian leader should have prevented the war.

Political analysts doubt Trump’s ability to end the conflict swiftly, highlighting Russia’s advantageous position in negotiations. However, some in Ukraine remain cautiously optimistic that a Trump presidency could offer a better alternative to the current situation under President Biden.