{"id":3399,"date":"2025-02-25T03:11:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T04:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/?p=3399"},"modified":"2025-02-25T04:13:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T04:13:35","slug":"rational-trump-toxic-zelensky-and-shackled-eu-key-points-from-latest-putin-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/25\/rational-trump-toxic-zelensky-and-shackled-eu-key-points-from-latest-putin-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Rational\u2019 Trump, \u2018toxic\u2019 Zelensky, and \u2018shackled\u2019 EU: key points from latest Putin interview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The Russian president highlighted Moscow\u2019s strategic positioning on economic, military, and diplomatic cooperation with Washington<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin shared his perspective on the policies of his US counterpart, Donald Trump, the future of Ukraine\u2019s statehood, and the potential role of Europe in the negotiation process.<\/p>\n<p>In an <a href=\"http:\/\/kremlin.ru\/events\/president\/transcripts\/interviews\/76331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">interview<\/a> with Russia 1 TV journalist Pavel Zarubin on Monday, Putin dismissed concerns over US-Ukraine resource agreements, criticized Zelensky\u2019s leadership, and framed Trump\u2019s policies as pragmatic and pro-American rather than beneficial to Russia. He also pointed out that European leaders are constrained by past commitments to Kiev, while Moscow remains open to economic cooperation with the US despite ongoing sanctions.<\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"1161\" data-end=\"1205\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong data-start=\"1161\" data-end=\"1205\">\u2019Toxic\u2019 Zelensky and Ukrainian statehood<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Putin described Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky as a <em>\u201ctoxic figure\u201d<\/em> for Ukrainian society, claiming that his irrational orders, driven by obscure political motives, have led to <em>\u201cunjustifiably high losses, if not catastrophic ones.<br \/><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\n        <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/russia\/613257-zelensky-elections-zero-chance-putin\/\"><br \/>\n            <span>READ MORE: <\/span>Zelensky has \u2018no chance\u2019 of winning a fair election \u2013 Putin<br \/>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<p><em><br \/><\/em>Putin suggested that if Zelensky, whose five-year presidential term expired in May 2024, were to face new elections, he would have no chance of winning: <em><em>\u201cHis chances of winning are absolutely zero<\/em>\u00a0<em>\u2013\u00a0unless, of course, something is blatantly rigged.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/em><\/em>He argued that Zelensky\u2019s popularity has collapsed and that he is actively avoiding peace negotiations with Russia to maintain his hold on power: <em>\u201cIf negotiations start, this will sooner or later lead to lifting martial law. And as soon as that happens, elections must be held.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2025\">\u2018Rational\u2019 Trump<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"FILE PHOTO\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/67bd25fb85f5401e0c3176c2.jpg\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/news\/613258-trump-putin-great-respect\/\">Trump says Putin treated him with \u2018great respect\u2019<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Putin suggested that Trump sees Zelensky as an obstacle to stabilizing Ukraine and securing a peace deal: <em><em>\u201c<\/em>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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><br \/><\/em>Addressing claims that Trump\u2019s position on Ukraine plays into Russia\u2019s hands, Putin strongly disagreed: <em><em>\u201c<\/em>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 \u2013 to bring to power those who will enjoy the trust of the people of Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/em>The Russian president also commented on Trump\u2019s political style, rejecting the notion that Trump acts based purely on emotion: <em><em>\u201c<\/em>No, of course not. His actions are based on cold calculation and a rational approach to the situation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong data-start=\"3088\" data-end=\"3110\">The role of Europe<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Putin argued that European politicians are <em>\u201cshackled\u201d<\/em> by their past commitments and are unable to change their approach to Ukraine without losing credibility: <em><em>\u201c<\/em>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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Russian President Vladimir Putin\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/67bcd93285f5404184488d38.jpg\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/russia\/613252-putin-weighs-in-on-europe-participation-in-ukraine-talks\/\">Putin weighs in on Europe\u2019s participation in Ukraine peace talks<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>He criticized Europe\u2019s reaction to recent US-Russia diplomatic interactions, saying:\u00a0<em><em>\u201c<\/em>Their response was emotional and lacked practical meaning. Instead of addressing real issues, they focus on maintaining appearances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/em>While dismissing demands by EU officials to have a say in Russia-US negotiations, Putin acknowledged that European involvement could be useful in broader discussions: <em><em>\u201c<\/em>Their participation is welcome, of course. We never refused to engage with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/em>He also noted that Moscow values the efforts of non-European actors, such as BRICS nations, in promoting peace: <em><em>\u201c<\/em>Not only Europeans but other countries as well have the right to participate, and we respect that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong data-start=\"4154\" data-end=\"4198\">Military and trade relations with the US<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Putin responded positively to Trump\u2019s proposal to cut defense spending, indicating Moscow\u2019s openness to negotiations:\u00a0<em>\u201dWe 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n        <span><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<figure>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"FILE PHOTO\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/67bcdc9f85f54044565b865e.jpg\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rt.com\/russia\/613253-putin-russia-us-rare-earths\/\">Russia ready to work with US on \u2018rare earths\u2019 \u2013 Putin<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Commenting on US trade policies, Putin criticized American sanctions but acknowledged that each country sets its own trade priorities:\u00a0<em>\u201d<\/em>For many years, US trade policy has been tied to sanctions. We consider these sanctions illegal and harmful to global trade.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Regarding Trump\u2019s shift toward tariffs, Putin said he understood the reasoning behind the move: <em><em>\u201c<\/em>Each country determines independently what is beneficial\u2026 I can understand the logic\u2014to move production back home, create jobs, force taxes to be paid\u2026 But at some point, of course, these actions will encounter certain difficulties associated with inflationary pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/em>Putin also confirmed that <em>\u201csome Russian and American companies are in contact and discussing major projects\u201d<\/em> but did not specify details.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"listicle\">\n<p><strong data-start=\"5251\" data-end=\"5280\">\u2018Rare earths\u2019 cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The rare earth minerals deal that the Trump administration is reportedly pushing with Kiev <em>\u201cdoesn\u2019t concern\u201d<\/em> Moscow, Putin said, emphasizing that Russia is focused on developing its own rare earth sector due to its critical importance in multiple industries.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe would be ready to offer this to our American partners\u2026 if they showed interest in working together,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he stated, clarifying that this applies to both private companies and government entities. He stressed that Russia has significantly larger reserves of rare earth metals than Ukraine, making it a global leader in the field.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><strong data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2025\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2025\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"3088\" data-end=\"3110\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"3088\" data-end=\"3110\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"4154\" data-end=\"4198\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"4154\" data-end=\"4198\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"5251\" data-end=\"5280\"><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"5251\" data-end=\"5280\"><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Russian president highlighted Moscow\u2019s strategic positioning on economic, military, and diplomatic cooperation with Washington Russian President Vladimir Putin shared his perspective on the policies of his US counterpart, Donald Trump, the future of Ukraine\u2019s statehood, and the potential role of Europe in the negotiation process. In an interview with Russia 1 TV journalist Pavel&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3401,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3399"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3403,"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3399\/revisions\/3403"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.developeternal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}