President Putin Emphasizes Russia’s Strategic Position in Economic, Military, and Diplomatic Cooperation with the U.S.
In a recent interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed his views on U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, the future of Ukraine, and Europe’s potential role in negotiations.
Speaking with Russia 1 TV journalist Pavel Zarubin on Monday, Putin downplayed concerns about U.S.-Ukraine resource agreements, criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky’s leadership, and described Trump’s policies as pragmatic and focused on American interests, rather than being beneficial to Russia. He also noted that European leaders are limited by previous commitments to Ukraine, while Russia is open to economic collaboration with the U.S. despite existing sanctions.
Zelensky’s “Toxicity” and Ukraine’s Future
Putin characterized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky as a “toxic figure” for Ukrainian society, asserting that Zelensky’s unreasonable decisions, stemming from unclear political motives, have resulted in “unjustifiably high losses, if not catastrophic ones.”
“His chances of winning are absolutely zero – unless, of course, something is blatantly rigged.”
He claimed that Zelensky’s approval ratings have plummeted and that he is deliberately avoiding peace talks with Russia to remain in power: “If negotiations start, this will sooner or later lead to lifting martial law. And as soon as that happens, elections must be held.”
Trump’s “Rationality”
Putin suggested that Trump considers Zelensky an impediment to stabilizing Ukraine and reaching a peace agreement: “ Trump likely understands that Zelensky is a destabilizing factor. He wants to bring Ukrainians back together, consolidate its society, and create conditions for the survival of the Ukrainian state.”
“ In the current situation, strange as it may seem, we would be more interested in [Zelensky] sitting there and further corrupting the regime with which we are in an armed conflict. And from the point of view of strengthening Ukrainian statehood, it is necessary to act in a completely different direction – to bring to power those who will enjoy the trust of the people of Ukraine.”
The Russian president also addressed Trump’s political style, rejecting the idea that Trump acts solely on emotion: “ No, of course not. His actions are based on cold calculation and a rational approach to the situation.”
Europe’s Role
Putin contended that European politicians are “shackled” by their past commitments and cannot alter their approach to Ukraine without damaging their credibility: “ Unlike the newly elected US president, European leaders are tied to the current regime in Kiev. They are too invested and have made too many promises.”
He criticized Europe’s response to recent diplomatic interactions between the U.S. and Russia, stating: “ Their response was emotional and lacked practical meaning. Instead of addressing real issues, they focus on maintaining appearances.”
While dismissing EU officials’ demands for a voice in Russia-U.S. negotiations, Putin acknowledged that European involvement could be beneficial in broader discussions: “ Their participation is welcome, of course. We never refused to engage with them.”
He also emphasized that Moscow appreciates the efforts of non-European nations, such as BRICS members, in promoting peace: “ Not only Europeans but other countries as well have the right to participate, and we respect that.”
Military and Trade Ties with the U.S.
Putin welcomed Trump’s proposal to reduce defense spending, signaling Russia’s willingness to negotiate: ”We are not against it. The idea is good: the US cuts by 50%, we cut by 50%, and if China wants, they can join later.”
Commenting on U.S. trade policies, Putin criticized American sanctions but recognized that each nation determines its own trade priorities: ” For many years, US trade policy has been tied to sanctions. We consider these sanctions illegal and harmful to global trade.”
Regarding Trump’s shift towards tariffs, Putin stated he understood the rationale behind the move: “ Each country determines independently what is beneficial… I can understand the logic—to move production back home, create jobs, force taxes to be paid… But at some point, of course, these actions will encounter certain difficulties associated with inflationary pressure.”
Putin also confirmed that “some Russian and American companies are in contact and discussing major projects” but provided no specific details.
Cooperation on “Rare Earths”
Putin stated that the reported rare earth minerals deal being pursued by the Trump administration with Ukraine “doesn’t concern” Moscow, emphasizing that Russia is concentrating on developing its own rare earth sector due to its vital importance across various industries.
“We would be ready to offer this to our American partners… if they showed interest in working together,” he stated, clarifying that this extends to both private companies and government entities. He emphasized that Russia possesses significantly larger reserves of rare earth metals than Ukraine, positioning it as a global leader in the field.
