Trump says Putin is ‘DESTROYING Russia’ & demands he ‘makes a deal’ after Kremlin despot called on Don to ‘avoid WW3’
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DONALD Trump accused Vladimir Putin of "destroying Russia" with his failed war as he urged him to make a deal to end the bloody conflict. The new US president warned the Kremlin dictator that his so-called "special military operation" is wrecking the Russian economy and came close to calling him a loser.
![[Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in a meeting.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/u-s-president-donald-trump-964552759.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Soon after taking office, Trump said: "He has to make a deal. I think he is destroying Russia by not making a deal. "I think Russia is going to be in big trouble. He can't be thrilled that he's not doing so well. "I mean, he's grinding it out, but most people thought the war would be over in about a week, and now it's been three years, right?".
![[Vladimir Putin at a meeting.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/russian-president-vladimir-putin-looks-964188555_cd843d.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It comes after Putin publicly called on the Maga leader to avoid WW3 when he told his security council: "We hear [Trump's] statements on the need to prevent World War III. "We undoubtedly welcome such a disposition and congratulate the elected US president.".
![[Firefighters extinguish a large fire at a destroyed building.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/rescuers-work-site-building-destroyed-958684475.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Trump, 78, warned the blood-soaked despot that spiralling inflation posed a major threat to his people. Putin, 72, earlier said he was ready to engage with Trump but still insisted on an outcome that would favour Russia. He said: "We are open to dialogue with the new US administration on the Ukrainian conflict.
![[Silhouetted firefighters at a large fire.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/ukrainian-rescue-services-eliminate-consequences-958706456.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"The most important thing here is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis.". Trump pledged to speak to Putin "very quickly" after taking office and an initial phone call is expected to take place soon. The president said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was ready for a deal to halt the conflict which has left around one million dead and wounded in 35 months.
![[Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking at a press conference.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-attends-964192610.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
