“Russia’s Going to Be in Big Trouble”: Trump Urges Putin to End the War

On January 20, following his inauguration, US President Donald Trump said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin must enter negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, Radio Svoboda reported on January 21.

“He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal. I think Russia’s going to be in big trouble. Most people thought that war would have been over in one week. I think he’d be very well off to end that war.” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump stated he plans to meet Putin once negotiations are organized, adding that preparations for the talks are underway. While not providing a specific timeline, he said, “I got along with [Putin] great. I would hope he wants to make a deal.”

The US President also mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his desire to reach a peace agreement to end the war.

Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could end the war within 24 hours of assuming office. When asked by reporters on January 20 if he could deliver on that promise, Trump stated “It’s only been half a day.”

“I’ve got another half a day to spare. We’ll see. We want to make it,” he added.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said “Let us not delude ourselves, the war in Ukraine will not end tomorrow or the day after,” commenting on Trump’s inauguration.