In a significant development, United States President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed the possibility of authorising a mission to apprehend Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing a contrast with the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The statement came during a press interaction at the White House on Friday, where Trump addressed speculation fueled by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump's Firm Denial on Putin Capture
When questioned by reporters about potentially ordering an operation to capture the Russian president, Trump responded unequivocally. "I don't think it's going to be necessary," he stated. He further elaborated on his relationship with Putin, saying, "I think we're going to have and have always had a great relationship with him." However, he did not hide his feelings about the ongoing conflict, adding, "I am very disappointed. I settled eight wars. I thought this would be in the middle of the pack or maybe one of the easier ones."
This clarification from the US President follows remarks made by Ukraine's Zelenskyy, who had hinted that Trump might be considering a plan for Putin similar to the one executed against Maduro. Trump directly disagreed with this suggestion, reiterating that such an action was "not necessary," despite his expressed disappointment with the Russian leader.
Claims of an Imminent Settlement and War Toll
Shifting focus to the battlefield, President Trump made a bold claim about the state of the Russia-Ukraine war. He asserted that the two nations are nearing a peace settlement. Substantiating his point, he cited heavy casualties, revealing, "Last month, they lost 31,000 people. Many of them were Russian soldiers." He also pointed to Russia's struggling economy as a factor pushing towards resolution.
"I think we are going to end up getting it settled," Trump said, while also expressing a desire for a quicker end to the hostilities. "I wish we could have done it quicker because a lot of people are dying, mostly soldiers," he added, highlighting the human cost of the prolonged conflict.
Context: Maduro's Capture and Putin's Warrants
The discussion about capturing foreign leaders gained traction after the dramatic operation in Venezuela just a week prior. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas and flown out of the country. The operation was a joint effort involving US intelligence agencies and law enforcement.
According to Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, Maduro sustained a leg wound during the raid, while Flores suffered a head injury. Following the capture, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the presidency of the South American nation.
Meanwhile, the spectre of international justice looms over Putin. The Russian president is the subject of several arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine. This legal backdrop adds a complex layer to any discourse concerning his potential detention. Zelenskyy's earlier veiled comment, suggesting the US knows how to treat a "dictator," referenced this very context.
Trump's latest comments effectively rule out a military-style capture of Putin, pivoting instead towards diplomatic channels and expressing a belief in an impending negotiated end to the war, even as the aftermath of the Maduro operation continues to unfold.
