Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the war in Ukraine would not have broken out had Donald Trump been in office in 2022. Speaking at a joint press conference, Putin said he had tried to convince President Joe Biden not to push the situation to a stage where “military action could lead to severe consequences.” He noted that Trump has repeatedly insisted he could have prevented the conflict if he had been in power instead of Biden. “President Trump and I established a very good, businesslike, and trustworthy communication,” Putin said. “I believe that if we proceed along that path, we can bring an end to the Ukraine conflict — and the sooner, the better.” Acknowledging Trump’s “friendly tone,” Putin also remarked that U.S.-Russia relations have been difficult in the past but stressed that “the situation needs correction.”