Putin Supports Trump Claim on Ukraine War Origins

Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly supported President Trump's assertion that the war in Ukraine would not have occurred if Trump had won the 2020 election, citing an atmosphere of trust and direct communication between the two leaders. Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed hope for a peace deal with Putin but acknowledged that the Russian leader might not want to negotiate, while ruling out sending American troops to Ukraine. During recent talks at the White House with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump discussed security guarantees for Ukraine short of NATO membership, which Putin views as a red line. Trump's Republican allies urged caution over any military entanglement in Ukraine, emphasizing a reluctance to involve the U.S. in another prolonged conflict. Trump reaffirmed that U.S. boots would not be on the ground but hinted at possible air support, stressing that Ukraine must abandon aims to reclaim Crimea and join NATO as part of any peace agreement. These developments come amid ongoing intense fighting and diplomatic efforts involving sanctions and security guarantees shaping the conflict's future.