Trump: Putin 'destroying Russia' with war in Ukraine

President Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “destroying Russia” with its nearly three-year war in Ukraine, adding he hopes the Kremlin leader is open to making a deal to end the conflict.

"He should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal," Trump said to reporters Monday night after his return to the White House.

He went on to say Russia is "going to be in big trouble" and that "most people thought that war would have been over in one week."

“He can’t be thrilled, he’s not doing so well,” the president said about Putin. “Russia is bigger, they have more soldiers to lose, but that’s no way to run a country.”

Trump has consistently touted on the campaign trail in 2024 that he would end the war in Eastern Europe in one day after taking office.

“I have another half of the day left,” Trump joked Monday when asked by a reporter, adding that he wants it to end soon.

Russia’s military is operating on Ukraine’s eastern side, looking to make gains on the front. More than 1,000 Russian soldiers die and are injured daily, The New York Times reported, citing Western officials.

Trump’s critical comments about Putin and Russia’s handling of the conflict came shortly after the Russian president congratulated him ahead of his Monday inauguration and signaled the country is open to communicating with the new administration.

“We also hear his [Trump’s] statement about the need to do everything to prevent a third world war. Of course, we welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on his inauguration,” Putin said.

Putin’s office also said Moscow is open to discussing the “Ukrainian conflict” with Washington and called for “eliminating the root causes of the crisis.” Kremlin frames the invasion of Ukraine, which kicked off in February 2022, as a defensive operation against Western nations and alliances, particularly NATO.

The Russian president's stance on potential dialogue was reiterated by his foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, who said the Kremlin is “taking into account” Trump’s remarks from Monday but is waiting for Trump’s team to initiate the potential talks.

“We are ready and open for dialogue with the new U.S. administration on the Ukraine conflict,” Ushakov told reporters Tuesday, according to the Times. “If the relevant signals come in from Washington, then we’ll pick them up and will be ready to hold negotiations.”

Former President Biden did not conduct talks with Putin after Russia invaded Ukraine, but some communication channels have been open, particularly between the Russian Defense Ministry and the Pentagon to de-escalate tensions.

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