US President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is "destroying Russia" by refusing to negotiate an end to the ongoing war with Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Speaking to reporters upon his return to the Oval Office on Monday, Trump urged Putin to seek a peace deal, emphasizing the toll the prolonged conflict is taking on Russia.
He should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal," Trump said. "I think Russia's going to be in big trouble."
He said plans to meet Putin have already begun. He remains positive about possibly ending the crisis:.
Reflecting on his earlier interactions with the Russian leader, Trump said, "I got along with him great, I would hope he wants to make a deal."
Commenting on the unexpected duration of the war, Trump remarked, "Most people thought that war would have been over in about one week, and now you're into three years, right?"
He also noted the strain on Russia's economy, including the impact of inflation.
Trump said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also eager to make a deal.
"Zelensky wants to make a deal," he said, even though he had criticized the Ukrainian leader during his campaign.
Trump promised during his campaign to end the conflict quickly, saying he could even do it within 24 hours of being in office.
Speaking to the press, Trump repeated his resolve by telling them, "We're going to try and get it done as quick as possible. You know, the war with Ukraine and Russia should have never started."
After submitting his nomination for Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio stood in agreement on the call for peace with the conflict but also added the difficulties of diplomacy.
"Each side would have to concede something," Rubio said while referring to Russia as "the aggressor" in the war.
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