Putin’s ‘not doing very well’, says Trump in unusually critical remarks about the Kremlin leader

Kyiv, Ukraine
CNN
—

His inauguration speech was loudest in its silence on Ukraine. But hours later, US President Donald Trump – in a trademark casual, rambling manner – revealed his position on the war in Ukraine. And it was tougher for the Kremlin than one might expect.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said of Russian President Vladimir Putin: “He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal.”

Trump was unprecedentedly sharp, focusing on the economic damage the war had inflicted on Russia. “I think Russia is going to be in big trouble. You take a look at their finances. You take a look at their inflation in Russia,” he added, referring to price increases that are heading towards 10%. “I got on well with him. I hope he will make a deal.”

He loosely referenced Moscow’s staggering casualty figures in a war now approaching its fourth year, in which Western officials estimate 700,000 Russians have been killed or wounded.

“He can’t be excited,” Trump said of Putin. “He’s not doing too well. I mean, he’s painting it out… it doesn’t make him look very good… I think he’d be well placed to end that war.”

Trump said he would meet with Putin and the details were being arranged. “It could be very soon,” he said. “The Ukraine-Russia war should never have started,” he added. Reminded that he had promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, he joked: “I still have half a day left. We’ll see. We want to get it done.”

Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had told him he wants to make a deal – echoing recent comments from Kiev they were open to diplomacy, provided it produced a sustainable end to the war palatable to Ukraine. “Zelensky wants to make a deal,” he said. “I don’t know if Putin does. Maybe not. I don’t know.”

Zelensky welcomed Trump’s inauguration, saying he was a “strong man”, adding: “Ukrainians are ready to work with the Americans to achieve peace, real peace. This is an opportunity that must be seized.”

The comments constitute some of the most critical Trump has made to the Kremlin head. His focus on economic mismanagement and the Kremlin’s tolerance of horrific casualty figures suggest that his White House is aware that Russia may be under some time pressure and intends to exploit it.

Previously, during their campaign for the White House, both Trump and Vice President JD Vance had expressed skepticism about continued US involvement in Ukraine’s struggle, often suggesting that Ukraine should settle for a ceasefire with Russia despite the loss of its territory .

The president’s claim that he wants to meet Putin suggests that Trump believes his interpersonal “art of the deal” can strike a diplomatic path.

Comfortingly, also for Kiev, his reference to aid to Ukraine hinged on the need for European NATO members to pay more, rather than for US aid to stop. Trump began his exchange with reporters by criticizing NATO’s European members, saying they should pay 5% of their GDP on defense – nearly double that for many.

Trump said the United States funded Ukraine’s aid to the tune of $200 billion more than Europe. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “Because it affects them much more. We have an ocean between us.”