U.S. President Donald Trump stated that by not negotiating an end to the war with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is “destroying Russia.”
“(Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy told me he wants to reach an agreement,” President Trump told reporters on Monday in the Oval Office after his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.
“I don’t know if Putin wants that. Maybe he doesn’t, I don’t know. He needs to make an agreement. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making an agreement.”
“I think Russia will face major problems,” added President Trump. “Look at the economy, look at inflation in Russia… I used to deal with him and I hope he wants to make an agreement.”
The re-elected U.S. president also mentioned that he hopes to meet with Russian President Putin soon, but no date for the meeting has been set yet.
Just hours before Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday, President Putin told the Russian Security Council in a televised speech that he was open to talks with the new U.S. administration regarding the war in Ukraine and nuclear weapons.
“We are watching the statements of the newly elected President of the United States and his cabinet members regarding their willingness to establish direct contact with Russia,” Putin said, according to news agency Reuters.
“We are also hearing his statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War III. We naturally welcome this position and congratulate the newly elected President of the United States on the start of his mandate,” he added.
