Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to engage in negotiations over the ongoing war in Ukraine following remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that Russia could face “high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions” if the conflict continues.
Speaking to a Russian state TV journalist, Putin said, “We believe the current president’s statements about his readiness to work together. We are always open to this and ready for negotiations. It would be better for us to meet, based on the realities of today, to talk calmly.”
Putin described his relationship with Trump as “businesslike, pragmatic, and trustworthy,” adding that he considers the former U.S. president “not only a smart person but also a pragmatic one.”
He suggested that any U.S. policies under Trump would likely be in the best interests of the American economy.
However, Putin noted that negotiations with Ukraine remain challenging, citing a decree signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that prevents direct talks with him.
The Russian leader also asserted that the war in Ukraine might have been avoided had Trump not lost the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
“If his victory had not been stolen from him in 2020, then perhaps there would not have been the crisis in Ukraine that arose in 2022,” he claimed.