The Kremlin announced on Friday that President Vladimir Putin is open to discussions with Donald Trump, following remarks by the incoming U.S. president that a meeting between the two leaders is being arranged. Trump, set to be inaugurated on January 20, has suggested that he could swiftly end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, although he has yet to present a concrete plan.
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the Russian president had expressed openness to dialogue with international leaders, including Trump. “The president has repeatedly stated his willingness to engage with global leaders, including the U.S. president, and that includes Donald Trump,” Peskov told reporters.
On Thursday, Trump mentioned that a meeting with Putin was being planned, stating, “He wants to meet, and we’re setting it up,” during a gathering with Republican governors at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump further emphasized, “President Putin wants to meet, he’s said that publicly, and we have to get that war over with—it’s a bloody mess.”
The Kremlin welcomed Trump’s desire to resolve issues through dialogue, with Peskov asserting that no specific conditions were required for the meeting to take place. “What is necessary is mutual willingness and political will to solve problems through dialogue,” Peskov added.
While Trump’s push for a swift resolution to the war has raised concerns in Kyiv, some fear that Ukraine could be pressured into accepting a peace deal favorable to Moscow. The United States has provided significant support to Ukraine, including tens of billions of dollars in aid since Russia’s military offensive began in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that without Western aid, Ukraine would have already lost the war. He is urging Trump to back his proposal for a “peace-through-strength” approach, which seeks NATO protections and solid Western security guarantees as part of any peace deal.
In response to Trump’s comments, Ukraine’s foreign ministry expressed skepticism. Spokesman Georgiy Tykhy stated, “Trump has spoken about arranging such meetings before, so we don’t see anything new in this.” He reiterated Ukraine’s stance that the war should end fairly for the country, noting that while Ukraine appreciates Trump’s determination to end the war, the government is focused on high-level talks with Washington following his inauguration. Discussions between Trump and Zelensky are expected to take place soon after January 20.
