Trump wants Ukraine to prioritize settling the war.

Former President Trump Dodges Question on Putin’s War Crimes

At a CNN forum on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump was asked if he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal. However, Trump avoided answering the question directly and instead suggested that it should be discussed at a later time. He also expressed concern that labeling Putin a war criminal could make it harder to negotiate a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Trump’s Focus on Ending the War in Ukraine

Despite his reluctance to address Putin’s alleged war crimes, Trump emphasized the importance of ending the conflict in Ukraine. He argued that the number of casualties in the war is far greater than what is reported and that the focus should be on settling the conflict, not just on financial compensation.

International Criminal Court’s Arrest Warrant for Putin

It’s worth noting that the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March for the alleged war crimes of deporting children from Ukrainian territories into Russia. The Biden administration also formally determined in February that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Trump’s Opinion of Putin Today

During the same CNN town hall, Trump was also asked if he still respects Putin today. He responded by saying that Putin made a “tremendous mistake” with regards to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While he acknowledged Putin’s intelligence, he did not directly answer the question of whether he still respects him.

In summary, Trump’s response to the question of Putin’s war crimes was evasive, but he did emphasize the importance of ending the conflict in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, and the Biden administration has accused Russian forces of committing war crimes in Ukraine. Trump also commented on his current opinion of Putin, but did not directly answer the question.