Putin Supports Trump's Claims That Ukraine Conflict Could Have Been Avoided

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed agreement with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could have been prevented if Trump had been in office during 2022. Speaking during a meeting at Moscow State University, Putin called Trump a "clever and pragmatic man," with whom he believed he had a trustworthy relationship.

Putin reiterated Trump's claim that he was cheated out of the 2020 election, suggesting that if Trump had won, the crisis in Ukraine might have been averted. He pointed out the significance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to exclude negotiations with Moscow, indicating it complicated the possibility of talks.

Despite the tensions, Putin mentioned that Russia is open to discussing a wide range of issues with the U.S., including nuclear arms control and economic matters. He noted that ongoing sanctions against Russia have negatively impacted U.S. interests and the global economy.

At the same time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov affirmed that the conflict's roots lie in the West's disregard for Russia's security concerns, dismissing claims that global oil prices play a role in the ongoing war.

Putin's statements come amidst fluctuating geopolitical dynamics, underscoring the strained relations between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S.