United States President Donald Trump suggested he might meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month, dismissing Ukraine’s complaints about being excluded from U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia on the conflict.
Querying at his Mar-a-Lago estate if he expected to meet with Putin by the end of the month, Trump responded, “Probably,” before abruptly ending a news conference.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking earlier about the U.S.-Russia discussions in Riyadh, said there was no Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine scheduled.
Addressing Ukraine’s frustration at being left out of the discussions, Trump brushed it aside, saying Kyiv had missed opportunities to prevent the war.
They’ve been there for three years; they ought to have finished it… they ought to have never started it. They could have made a deal,” Trump said.
Trump’s remarks were denounced by former White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett, who charged Trump with repeating Russian propaganda.
“Putin started the war by invading Ukraine unprovoked, and his soldiers have committed war crimes. Russia is responsible for this war continuing,” Savett tweeted.
Trump says Zelenskyy “should have never started” the war with Russia
(Putin started the war by invading Ukraine) pic.twitter.com/54EA21gjbu
— FactPost (@factpostnews) February 18, 2025
Trump also attacked President Joe Biden’s handling of Ukraine, stating that he was the sole person capable of ending the war.
He also insisted that Ukraine hold elections, as it wasn’t Russia’s request but a widespread international demand.
When asked about European leaders considering peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, Trump replied that he would not oppose it.
“Having troops there would be fine, I wouldn’t have any problem with that at all,” he said.
