PUTIN ECHOES TRUMP'S CLAIM THAT CONFLICT IN UKRAINE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD HE BEEN IN OFFICE

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has echoed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim the conflict in Ukraine could have been prevented had he been in the White House in 2022. He also said Moscow is ready for talks with the U.S. on a broad range of issues. In an interview Friday with Russian state TV, Putin praised Trump as a “clever and pragmatic man” focused on U.S. interests. The Russia…