U.S. President Donald Trump has once again suggested that Vladimir Putin wants to end the war with Ukraine, despite ongoing attacks by Russia.
In an interview with ABC News‘ Terry Moran, Trump was asked if Putin really wants to end the war, to which Trump responded, “I think he does.”
“(Putin’s) dream was to take over the whole country. Thanks to me, he won’t do that,” Trump added. At the same time, the American president did not say he directly trusts Putin but that he believes Putin “respects” him.
“I don’t trust you, I don’t trust many people, but I think that, let’s say, he respects me and I think that because of me he won’t take all of Ukraine, but his first decision, choice, would be to take all of Ukraine,” Trump said.
The American president also expressed his displeasure over a recent Russian missile attack on Kyiv
“I will tell you, I was not happy when I saw Putin shooting missiles into a few towns and cities,” said Trump.
Trump said that while Putin may be “tapping him along a bit,” his overall desire is to end the war.
Others believe that Putin has no intention of ending the war. Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemueller said in late March that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “playing with Trump” and has no intention of signing any peace agreements.
The U.S. has begun to threaten to withdraw from the negotiation process. Vice President JD Vance said that Washington will not tolerate an endless conflict and expects Ukraine and Russia to be ready for a compromise.
