Trump: Putin is ‘destroying’ Russia

“[Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy told me he wants to make a deal, I don’t know if Putin does … He might not. I think he should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal,” Trump said in the Oval Office on the first day of his second presidency.

Kremlin hard-liners are calling for the dismemberment of Ukraine, while Trump is threatening new sanctions if Putin doesn’t come to the negotiating table.

President Donald Trump stepped up pressure Wednesday on Russia to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, and threatened financial penalties on the country if it refuses to conclude fighting swiftly.

Trump Tells Putin to ‘Make a Deal’ on Ukraine or Face New Costs