US President Donald Trump stated he might meet Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month and dismissed Ukraine’s concerns about being excluded from US-Russian discussions in Saudi Arabia regarding the Ukraine war’s resolution.

“Probably,” Trump responded when asked if he expected to meet with Putin before the month’s end, as he wrapped up a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach.

Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed reporters on the US-Russian talks in Riyadh, explaining that no date had been set for a potential Trump-Putin summit about Ukraine.

This was Trump’s first comment since a US delegation began a working dialogue with Russia about Ukraine during talks in Riyadh that day.

Trump downplayed Ukraine’s concerns about being left out of the conversation, stating that Kyiv could have struck a deal with Russia three years ago to prevent Moscow’s invasion.

“Today I hear, ‘Oh, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been at it for three years; you should have ended it… you shouldn’t have started it. You could have made a deal,” Trump remarked.

Sean Savett, a former spokesperson for the White House National Security Council under President Joe Biden, criticized Trump on social media, saying that Russia started the war.

“Looks like Trump has fallen for Putin’s propaganda entirely,” Savett commented.

He added, “Let’s remind everyone: Putin initiated the war by invading Ukraine without provocation, and his forces have committed war crimes against Ukrainians. Russia is responsible for this ongoing conflict.”

Trump criticized Biden’s handling of the Ukraine situation, noting Biden’s efforts to ensure Ukraine had the necessary weapons to defend itself against Russian aggression.

“I believe I have the ability to end this war,” Trump stated.

Trump also suggested Ukraine should hold elections.

“This isn’t about Russia; it’s my opinion and that of many other countries as well,” he said.

Trump added that he would not oppose European nations sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

European leaders have considered deploying peacekeepers to provide security guarantees in case of a peace agreement.

“Having troops there would be fine; I wouldn’t object at all,” Trump affirmed.