Former President Donald Trump has voiced strong criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that he believes Putin has "gone absolutely CRAZY" amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed concern over Putin’s actions and warned that his ambitions could lead to Russia’s downfall.
Trump’s comments come in the wake of an escalation in violence in Ukraine, where missiles and drones have been striking cities, resulting in civilian casualties. He emphasized that he has always had a good relationship with Putin but feels something has changed in the Russian leader’s approach. "He’s killing a lot of people," Trump remarked, expressing his disapproval of the current situation.
During a press interaction, Trump was asked how he would handle Putin if he were still in office. He responded cryptically, suggesting that he would not disclose his plans to the media, which he labeled as "fake news." Despite his past rapport with Putin, Trump made it clear that he does not support the war and criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his rhetoric. Trump believes Zelensky’s comments are unhelpful and could exacerbate the situation.
"This is a War that would never have started if I were President," Trump stated, attributing the conflict to the actions of Zelensky, Putin, and current President Joe Biden. He positioned himself as a mediator, claiming he is trying to help resolve the chaos stemming from what he describes as "gross incompetence."
Recently, Trump and Putin had a lengthy phone conversation, after which Trump claimed that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine would soon begin. However, the Kremlin later denied that any such talks had been scheduled. This follows a missed opportunity for peace talks in Turkey, which Putin did not attend. Trump suggested that future negotiations could take place in the Vatican, but Russian officials have dismissed this idea as impractical.
As the situation continues to evolve, Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing interest in foreign policy and his views on international relations. His remarks have sparked discussions about the potential for peace and the roles of various leaders in the ongoing conflict.