Putin: 'If Trump’s Victory Had Not Been Stolen in 2020, Perhaps War Would Not Have Started'

Russian President Vladimir Putin described U.S. President Donald Trump as an intelligent and pragmatic individual. He noted that he had worked with Trump during his first presidential term.

“He is not only an intelligent person but also a pragmatic man. I can hardly imagine decisions being made that would harm the American economy itself,” said Putin.

Putin agreed with the U.S. President's assertion that if he had been re-elected in 2020, the Ukrainian crisis might have been avoided. “And I cannot disagree with him that if he were president, if his victory had not been stolen from him in 2020, then perhaps the crisis that arose in Ukraine in 2022 would not have happened,” Putin stated.

The Russian president declared his readiness to calmly discuss all areas of mutual interest with Trump. “It would be better if we, based on today’s realities, could calmly talk about all the areas that interest both the U.S. and Russia. We are ready, but, I repeat, it primarily depends on the decisions and elections of the current American administration,” he said.

Putin also added that Russia is prepared for negotiations on the Ukraine issue, but Kyiv is receiving billions in sponsorship and is in no hurry to revoke its decision to ban negotiations with Russia.