Donald Trump says Putin wants war to end and urges $350 billion defense bill

Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the war in Ukraine to end, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares the same goal. He described ongoing talks and suggested the conflict could be resolved more easily because of his personal relationships with the leaders.

In a separate statement, Trump praised the strength of the U.S. armed forces and urged Congress, once back from recess, to pass a $350 billion defense spending package and the "America to Protect Act," saying the military has never been stronger and that such funding is essential to maintain American freedom.