US President Donald Trump revealed that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the ongoing war in Ukraine.
While the exact timing of the interview was not specified, Trump conveyed his belief that the Russian leader was genuinely concerned about the loss of life on the battlefield during a conversation with the New York Post aboard Air Force One on Friday (7 February).
Trump remarked that Putin "wants to see people stop dying," describing the deaths of "young, beautiful people" on both sides of the conflict as tragic and unnecessary. "Two million of them—young men, like your kids," he said, lamenting the senselessness of the violence.
The former president also suggested that had he been in office in 2022, the war would never have taken place. "I always had a good relationship with Putin," he stated, contrasting his approach with that of his successor, Joe Biden, whom he described as “a complete embarrassment” to the nation.
Trump went on to emphasise his intention to swiftly end the conflict, noting that every day of the war brings more casualties. "This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing," he asserted, expressing his frustration at the ongoing bloodshed.
While discussing his plans to bring the war to an end, Trump revealed that he hoped to broker a peace agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He proposed a deal worth $500 million, which would grant the United States access to rare minerals and gas in exchange for security guarantees.
Trump also touched upon his foreign policy stance regarding Iran, stating that he would prefer to negotiate a non-nuclear deal with the country rather than resorting to military action. "They don’t want to die. Nobody wants to die," he remarked, adding that such a deal could prevent Israel from taking military action against Iran.
As the Munich Security Conference approaches, Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to meet with Zelensky, further underscoring the heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Trump's comments shed light on his foreign policy priorities and his desire to pursue negotiations with both Russia and Iran, suggesting an approach that diverges sharply from the current administration's stance.
