Asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s cryptic remarks hinting that Putin could be next after Maduro’s seizure, Trump gave a direct reply. US President Donald Trump on Friday played down suggestions that Washington could launch a dramatic operation against Russian President Vladimir Putin similar to the raid that led to the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, saying such a move was “not necessary” even as he voiced deep disappointment over the Ukraine war.
Asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s cryptic remarks hinting that Putin could be next after Maduro’s seizure, Trump told reporters, “I don’t think it’s going to be necessary. I think we’re going to have a – and always had – a great relationship with him.”
Speaking during a meeting with top US oil and gas executives, Trump added that he was “very disappointed” the conflict had not yet ended. “I settled eight wars. I thought this would be in the middle of the pack or maybe one of the easier ones,” he said, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has been raging since 2022. Putin is currently the subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court in The Hague over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, a factor that has further complicated diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.
Zelensky’s hint after Maduro’s arrest
The comments came a week after a shock US military operation in Caracas saw former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro dragged from his residence in a pre-dawn raid and flown to the United States to face trial on drug-trafficking and other charges. The unprecedented action rattled governments across the world and emboldened some of Washington’s allies.
