WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing war in Ukraine, calling it the largest and deadliest conflict since World War II.
“Look, I’m very disappointed because Vladimir and I had a very good relationship — probably still do. I don’t know why he continues with this war. This war has been so bad for him,” Trump told reporters during a bilateral meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House.
“He’s going into four years of a war he should have won in one week. He’s lost 1.5 million soldiers, or close to it — all the things that happen in horrible wars. It’s the biggest thing that has happened since World War II in terms of death,” Trump said.
His remarks came days before a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, where the two leaders are expected to discuss continued US military and economic support for Kyiv.
Trump had earlier met Putin on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska, marking their first in-person talks during Trump’s second term, which began in January. That meeting, held at a military facility, focused on exploring potential ceasefire options and humanitarian corridors.
Trump has appointed Steve Witkoff as a special envoy to mediate efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict or achieving a temporary truce.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, when Moscow launched what it termed a “special military operation,” triggering the largest European conflict in decades and reshaping global security alliances.
