Former U.S. President Donald Trump declined to directly address whether he considers Vladimir Putin responsible for the war in Ukraine. He cited ongoing negotiations as the reason for his refusal to answer the question. This occurred during a public appearance where he faced questions about the conflict. Despite avoiding direct attribution of blame to Putin, Trump indicated he is reconsidering the possibility of reinstating sanctions on Russian oil. He did not elaborate on the specifics of these potential sanctions or the nature of the negotiations he referenced. The statement comes amid continued international efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine and debate over the effectiveness of existing sanctions. This response is likely to draw further scrutiny of Trump’s stance on the conflict and his relationship with the Russian president.