As Trump was sworn in as US president in Washington DC on Monday, Putin said Trump’s election campaign had been “difficult”, referring to the assassination attempt on him, and called for dialogue with Washington to reach a settlement in Ukraine.
“It is clear that the election period was difficult in all respects for Mr Trump. He and even his family members were subjected to constant pressure. It even reached the point of assassination attempts,” Putin said.
In his congratulatory speech to US President Trump, Putin noted that he had been brave and had achieved a convincing victory in the election. “We are also open to dialogue with the new US administration on the conflict,” Putin added.
Trump says he can end Ukraine war in a day
Trump claimed he would end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours,” which he later changed to six months, but did not say how he would do it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the new US president’s remarks and also praised Trump’s “decisiveness”
He welcomed the opportunity to achieve a “just and long-term peace” for his war-torn country.
He said: “President Trump is always decisive, and the policy of peace through strength that he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s presidency as “taking the alliance between the United States and Israel to new heights.”
He said: “I believe that by working together again we will take the alliance between the United States and Israel to new heights. On behalf of the people of Israel, I would also like to thank you for your efforts in helping to free the Israeli hostages.”