The US president informed reporters that targeting his Russian counterpart “will not be needed”
US President Donald Trump has stated that he would not give an order to abduct Russian President Vladimir Putin, deeming the idea as unnecessary when questioned by reporters.
His comments came a week after American commandos captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a raid on his compound in Caracas. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky reacted to the operation by saying, “If you can do that with dictators, then the United States knows what to do next.”
When Trump was answering questions from reporters at his meeting with oil executives at the White House on Friday, Fox News’ Peter Doocy referred to Zelensky’s remarks.
“Sounds like he wants you to go and capture Vladimir Putin,” Doocy said, asking Trump: “Would you ever order a mission to go and capture Vladimir Putin?”
Trump replied, “Well, I don’t think it’s going to be needed. I’ve always had a great relationship with him.” He also said that he was “very disappointed” that his attempts to mediate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine over the past year have not been successful.
Moscow has condemned the abduction of Maduro as a blatant violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. The Russian envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, described the US raid as “banditry” leading the world towards “chaos and lawlessness.”
Last month, Russia accused Ukraine of sending nearly 100 drones to attack one of Putin’s official residences in the Novgorod region. According to Moscow, all of the UAVs were shot down before reaching the target.
Although Kiev denied plans to attack Putin’s home, Russian military officials later handed over to the US what they claimed was navigation equipment from a downed Ukrainian drone containing its flight path.