US President Donald Trump has dismissed speculation of Washington’s vigorous attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin, a scenario similar to the recent raid that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Speaking to the reporters on Friday, President Donald Trump explained that such an attack is “not necessary” despite his concerns regarding the current levels of conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
These remarks came in response to comments made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that “next” may be Putin after the capture of Maduro. “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,” answered Trump.
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‘Very disappointed’ over Ukraine war
Speaking to reporters after a White House meeting with top US oil and gas executives, he made the remarks, in which he also talked about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He said he was “very disappointed” the war had not ended yet, noting that he believed it could have been resolved more easily.
“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 that began in 2022. He added that the human cost of the conflict weighed on him, pointing to heavy casualties on both sides, especially among Russian soldiers.
Putin is currently the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, a factor that has complicated diplomatic efforts to bring the fighting to an end.
Zelensky’s hint after Maduro arrest
Zelensky’s remarks followed the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a surprise US military operation in Caracas last week. Reacting to the development, the Ukrainian president made an indirect reference to Putin, saying that if this was how a “dictator” must be treated, then “the United States knows what to do next.”
Trump, however, publicly rejected any suggestion he would order a similar mission against the Russian president.
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Reflecting on the toll of the conflict, Trump said he wished he had been able to bring the war to an end earlier. He said, “Last month, they lost 31,000 people. Many of them were Russian soldiers. The Russian economy is doing poorly. I think we are going to end up getting it settled. I wish we could have done it quicker because a lot of people are dying, mostly soldiers.”
Fallout from the Venezuela operation
According to US accounts, Maduro was detained in a pre-dawn raid in Caracas and flown to the United States to face charges, including drug trafficking. His arrest has triggered protests in Venezuela, even as Washington has moved to engage with the country’s interim leadership and explore renewed diplomatic ties.
