Russian President Vladimir Putin said during an interview that he is open to meeting with President Trump to discuss topics that are of interest to both Moscow and Washington, including the Kremlin’s near three-year invasion of Ukraine.  “It would be better for us to meet, based on the realities of today, to talk calmly on all those areas that are of interest to both the United States and Russia,” Putin said during a Friday interview with Russia’s TV channel Russia 24. “We are ready. But, I repeat, this primarily, of course, depends on the decisions and choices of the current American administration,” he told reporter Pavel Zarubin.  Putin praised Trump as “pragmatic” and “smart” while also arguing that Russia might not have invaded Ukraine if Trump was reelected for a second consecutive White House term in November 2020.  “I’ve always had a businesslike, pragmatic and even trusting relationship with the current president,” Putin said. “And I can’t help but agree that if his victory hadn’t been stolen in 2020, the crisis in Ukraine might not have emerged in 2022.”  Earlier this week, Trump threatened to slap sanctions and implement tariffs on Russia if a deal to halt the war in Eastern Europe is not brokered “soon.” “All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump said on Truth Social.  Then later, while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump told the attendees that he would like to meet with Putin “soon” to discuss ending the conflict.  “We really should get that stopped. Likewise in the Middle East, I think we’ve made a lot of process in the Middle East, and I think that’s going to come along pretty well,” Trump said, adding that Ukraine is “ready to make a deal.” The president has called for a ceasefire for months, encouraging both nations to negotiate and end the war. Trump also previously said the conflict would not have occurred if he had been president in 2022. On the campaign trail, he has said that he could end the war in 24 hours.