Putin has said: If Trump's 2020 win wasn't 'stolen,' there’d be no Ukraine war

Putin Open to Meeting Trump, Calls for ‘Calm’ Talks on Energy and Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he is open to meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss key issues, including energy prices and the war in Ukraine.

"It would be better for us to meet, based on today’s realities, to talk calmly about all the areas of interest to both the United States and Russia," Putin said in an interview on the state-run channel Russia 24.

"We are ready. But, I repeat, this primarily depends on the decisions and choices of the current American administration," he added.

Trump Threatens Russia With Tariffs and Sanctions

On Wednesday, Trump threatened massive tariffs and sanctions against Russia if it does not strike a deal to end the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, quickly dismissed his remarks.

"Putin is trying to promote the idea of negotiations with the U.S. But he wants to decide the fate of Europe—without Europe. And he wants to talk about Ukraine—without Ukraine," said Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, in a statement Friday.

Putin Calls Trump ‘Smart’ and ‘Pragmatic’

During the interview, Putin praised Trump, describing him as "smart" and "pragmatic", and said he does not expect him to take actions that would harm the U.S. economy.

"I’ve always had a businesslike, pragmatic, and even trusting relationship with the current president," Putin said, according to The Moscow Times.

He also falsely claimed that if Trump’s 2020 victory had not been "stolen," the Ukraine war might not have happened—a reference to Trump’s ongoing, debunked claims about U.S. election fraud.

Trump’s Post-Inauguration Stance on Russia

Since taking office Monday, Trump has talked tough on Russia. He told reporters that Putin is "destroying Russia" and that the Kremlin should strike a deal as soon as possible to end the war.