In business readiness: Putin assessed the prospects for talks with Trump
Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is ready for talks on Ukraine and emphasized: The Russian Federation has always been open for this. Now, contacts with Russia are legally banned in the neighboring country, which undermines their legitimacy, the president stressed. According to him, there can be many points of contact with the new American administration, for example, on issues of strategic stability and economy. On the eve of Donald Trump said that he was ready to meet immediately with Vladimir Putin, while making demands to urgently end the conflict and threatening new sanctions. Kiev, on the other hand, is counting on security guarantees from Washington. What the mutual readiness of Putin and Trump to negotiate signals and whether there is a chance to reach a consensus - in the material of "Izvestia".
Russia is ready for dialog with the United States on Ukraine
On January 24, Vladimir Putin outlined in detail the Russian position on potential negotiations with Washington on Ukraine. Thus, the Russian leader said that Moscow is ready for dialog and has always been open to it. In addition, the Kremlin is interested in restoring any other contacts with the US administration, which were interrupted in 2022 by Joe Biden's team. Putin noted that he has always had businesslike, trusting and pragmatic relations with the current White House head Donald Trump.
- I cannot but agree with him that if he had been president, if he had not had his victory stolen from him in 2020, there might not have been the crisis in Ukraine that emerged in 2022," the Russian leader said.
Vladimir Putin, however, also recalled that during Trump's first term (2017-2021), a then-record number of sanctions were imposed against Russia. However, this baton was later taken over by Joe Biden. The Russian president emphasized that the restrictions against Russia adopted by Washington neither then nor now were in the interests of the United States itself. But we should not forget about the positive moments in the relations between the two countries during Trump's presidency. In July 2018, the first Russia-US summit in a long time was successfully held in Helsinki, which, according to the two leaders, turned out to be quite fruitful.
An important aspect that Vladimir Putin drew attention to is the legislative ban on any negotiations with the Russian leadership, imposed by Vladimir Zelensky back in 2022. The Russian President noted that under these conditions, the negotiations are actually illegitimate, which could then affect their results. In such a situation it is possible to make some "hints", but it is quite difficult to talk seriously about the beginning of the dialog, as well as about its proper end. The Russian president added that the current regime in Kiev receives hundreds of billions, "but it is in no hurry to fulfill the instructions of its sponsors - and we know that there are such instructions - to cancel the decree banning negotiations." Although Putin did not rule out that the main sponsors should force Kiev to do so. In fact, it may be a hint to the new administration that such coercion would indeed be a signal demonstrating Washington's willingness to promote a peaceful settlement. The point is that Trump will press Zelensky, believes Andrei Kortunov, research director of the Russian International Affairs Council.
- But it is clear that first a principled agreement must be reached between Moscow and Washington, and then other participants can be involved on the basis of this agreement. Probably, it is not only Ukraine, but also European allies of the USA, maybe some countries of the world majority - say, China or Brazil. But if the first step is taken, the second one will follow. It doesn't even matter who will speak: Ukraine, Zelensky or someone else," he said in a conversation with Izvestia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
The Russian leader also noted the points of common ground with the United States, mentioning issues of strategic stability and the economy. Trump on the eve spoke in favor of reducing the nuclear arsenals of Russia, the United States and China, in fact, proposing new agreements along the lines of the DRMD and START. Thus, the START-3 treaty expires already next year. As for the economy, the Russian president responded to Trump's recent threats to impose sanctions on Russian exports, emphasizing that he doubts the announcement of new measures against Russia if they contradict the national interests of the United States.
What is the likelihood of negotiations in the near future
Immediately after the inauguration, the new US president began to make many statements on the topic of Ukraine. In general, his rhetoric has not changed since the pre-election period - he favors a quick resolution of the crisis and peace. On January 23, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said that he wants to meet with Putin immediately to discuss a speedy end to the conflict. He also confirmed the words from his recent tweet about his intentions to impose sanctions on Russian exports if Moscow does not negotiate on the Ukrainian problem.
AFU soldiers
It is worth noting that his message included compliments about Russia and its people, as well as assurances that he does not want to do any harm. Since his election, Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Kiev is ready for negotiations and he is waiting for signals of readiness from Moscow. He also instructed his special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to resolve the crisis within 100 days. At the same time, the US media note that Kellogg will not have any weight in the negotiations and the White House head intends to control this issue himself. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said that the possibility of a soon telephone dialog between Putin and Trump is being worked out, as well as their meeting. Both leaders have expressed readiness for it several times. On January 24, the Russian president once again confirmed these intentions, adding that it is necessary to meet and discuss everything in a calm atmosphere. In one way or another, the Russian Foreign Ministry notes that with the Republican's return to the White House, a window of opportunity for agreements with the United States has opened.
Andrei Kortunov believes that now at least contact between the two presidents can be restored. And the chances are high that it will start with a phone call.
- This is where it will become clear to what extent the parties' positions on specific regulatory issues diverge or coincide. But I think that in any case, if we talk about the summit, it will not take place in the near future, because, of course, it needs serious preparation. But both sides are interested in making this meeting successful in terms of some political results. So I think there will be contact, but we should not expect miracles," the expert said.
Serviceman of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
The problem is that despite the American side's assurances about Kiev's readiness to negotiate with Moscow, nothing of the sort is seen from the Ukrainian side. In his recent interview in early January, Zelensky said that he despises the Russian people. Another portion of insults was sprinkled in the address of the Russian leadership. In addition, he named one of the conditions for the start of peace talks with Moscow - Russia must return to the borders of 2022. At the same time, it is possible that Kiev thereby makes it clear that it is no longer against, in particular, the legal recognition of Crimea as Russian.
The Russian side has repeatedly emphasized that it is ready to talk without preconditions, but taking into account the new territorial realities. Even the previous US administration noted that Ukraine has no possibility to seriously influence the situation on the battlefield and return the lost territories. Representatives of Trump's team also spoke about this. Now Kiev is also demanding some kind of security guarantees from the US.
In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined the Russian conditions for launching the peace process. It implies the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territory of the LNR, DNR, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, and within their administrative borders, which existed at the time of their entry into Ukraine. In addition, Moscow is ready to start peace talks with Kiev if it officially announces its renunciation of its aspirations to join NATO. Other peace conditions include the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, Kiev's recognition of the new regions (including Crimea and Sevastopol) as part of Russia, and the lifting of all Western sanctions.
