Vladimir Putin has shockingly claimed that the war in Ukraine would have never started if the "2020 victory wasn’t stolen" from Donald Trump. Speaking to Russian state media, Putin said he was prepared to meet with the US President to discuss ending the devastating conflict.

Putin has said repeatedly that he is prepared to negotiate an end to the war, which first began in 2014, but that Ukraine would have to accept the reality of Russian territorial gains, which are currently about 20% of its land. He also refuses to accept Ukraine joining Nato, the military alliance of Western countries.

Donald Trump has promised to end the Ukraine war as soon as he enters office next week by allowing him to keep the land Russia has taken in Ukraine. But Ben Hodges, a former US Army Europe commander, has told the Sun that this could allow Putin to come back stronger and invade again.