Former President Donald Trump dismissed the notion of a direct U.S. intervention to capture Vladimir Putin, a suggestion recently floated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy had alluded to Washington’s past actions, referencing the pursuit of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, as a potential model for dealing with the Russian president.
Trump, visibly frustrated during a meeting with oil industry executives, expressed disappointment with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He lamented his inability to swiftly resolve the war, despite previous assertions on the campaign trail that he could achieve peace “on his first day back in office.”
“I’ve always had a great relationship with him,” Trump stated, referring to Putin. He recalled a track record of resolving international disputes, claiming to have “settled eight wars” and anticipating Ukraine would prove a relatively straightforward challenge. That expectation, however, has not materialized.
The former president painted a grim picture of the war’s toll, focusing on the staggering losses reportedly suffered by Russian forces. He cited figures suggesting over 31,000 Russian soldiers perished in the last month alone, with similar numbers reported in preceding months, describing the situation as “bad stuff.”
Trump also asserted that Russia’s economy is struggling under the weight of the conflict. Despite the devastation, he maintained optimism that a resolution would eventually be reached, expressing regret that it hadn’t happened sooner given the human cost.
He leveled criticism at the current administration’s financial support for Ukraine, estimating the aid at $350 billion. Trump proposed a recoupment strategy, suggesting a deal involving rare earth minerals could offset the costs of continued assistance.
Trump countered the narrative of financial loss for the U.S., claiming the conflict is actually proving profitable. He pointed to increased arms sales to NATO allies and the alliance’s commitment to significantly increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 as evidence of economic benefit.
Zelenskyy’s call for a stronger response came amidst a massive Russian attack on Ukraine, including a claimed deployment of a new hypersonic missile. Ukrainian officials reported widespread damage to energy infrastructure and civilian areas, with at least four confirmed fatalities.
The Ukrainian president urgently appealed to the United States and the international community to hold Russia accountable for targeting civilians. He emphasized the need for consequences in the face of escalating aggression and relentless attacks.
