Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Aug. 19 that he "hopes President Putin is going to be good" in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, warning that "if he’s not, that’s going to be a rough situation." Trump added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy "has to show some flexibility" and remarked that he thinks both Zelenskiy and Putin are "doing okay," suggesting room for direct negotiations between the two leaders.
Trump: "I hope President Putin is going to be good. If he's not, that's going to be a rough situation. And I hope President Zelensky will do what he has to do. He has to show some flexibility also. The thing is a mess." https://t.co/vvniP4ESIg
Trump: Hope Putin will be good, if not, a rough situation https://t.co/O27nbGUgbQ
Trump Said He Hopes Putin Will Be Good; If Not, Situation Could Be Difficult