A restaurant employee adjusts a TV screen showing US President Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, in Kyiv, on January 20, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Monday that Vladimir Putin was “destroying Russia” by not making a deal to end the war with Ukraine.

“He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal,” Trump told reporters on his return to the Oval Office.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I think Russia’s going to be in big trouble.”

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Trump signs order to pull US from WHO, citing funding disparities GLOBALNATION Chinese man, 2 Filipinos charged with spying GLOBALNATION Trump returns to power after unprecedented comeback

READ: Trump speaks to Putin, warns against escalating in Ukraine – report

The comments mark an unusually critical stance by Trump on Putin, for whom he has voiced admiration in the past.

Article continues after this advertisement

Trump also said he was preparing to meet Putin. A summit between the two in his first term gained notoriety after the US president appeared to accept the Russian leader’s word over that of US intelligence.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I got along with him great, I would hope he wants to make a deal,” Trump said.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Trump says solving Ukraine crisis his top priority

“He can’t be thrilled he’s not doing so well. I mean, he’s grinding it out, but most people thought that war would have been over in about one week, and now you’re into three years, right?” Trump said.

The country’s balance of payments (BOP) position recorded a $3.5-billion surplus in September, a reversal from the $414-million deficit posted a year ago, the BSP said in a report.

88bet slot Article continues after this advertisement

He said the Russian economy was being hit hard, including by inflation.

Trump also said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had told him that he wanted a peace agreement to end the war, which started when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

“Zelensky wants to make a deal,” said Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the Ukrainian leader in the past.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Trump during his campaign vowed quickly to end the Ukraine wark9win, with his aides suggesting leveraging US aid to force Kyiv to make concessions.

READ NEXT Trump grants pardons to 1,500 US Capitol rioters Royeca: Enactment of moto taxi law to enhance commuter safety,... EDITORS' PICK UAAP: Jonna Perdido out of UST’s Season 87 campaign with ACL tear Marcos slams Duterte ‘lies’ on items in budget law Trump returns to power after unprecedented comeback KC Concepcion photo acquired by Getty Museum, exported to US Sofronio Vasquez wows Cebu in his first-ever concert Trump suspends US foreign assistance for 90 days pending reviews MOST READ Gordon Ramsay wowed by Judy Ann Santos, Abi Marquez's cooking skills Sandigan finds former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista guilty of graft Trump signs order to pull US from WHO, citing funding disparities KC Concepcion photo acquired by Getty Museum, exported to US Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• amp
• Trump
• says
• k9win
• Putin