Putin Claims Ukraine War Would Not Have Happened Under Trump’s Presidency

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a summit in Anchorage, Alaska on August 15, 2025, endorsed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in 2022, could have been avoided had Trump been in office.

Speaking after nearly three hours of closed-door talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Putin asserted that Trump’s pragmatic leadership and their “businesslike, trusting” relationship would have prevented the conflict, while criticizing former President Joe Biden for escalating tensions despite warnings.

This statement, part of broader U.S.-Russia discussions, has sparked varied reactions: Trump’s supporters view it as validation of his foreign policy strength, while critics see it as Putin’s strategic flattery to influence U.S. policy and weaken support for Ukraine.

However, Putin’s insistence on addressing “all root causes” of the conflict, coupled with Russia’s hardline stance on Ukraine’s government and territorial demands, suggests limited progress toward peace, highlighting the complexities of diplomatic negotiations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.