President Trump has announced that preparations are underway for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking at a gathering of Republican governors at his Mar-a-Lago club, Trump confirmed, “He [Putin] wants to meet, and we’re setting it up.” The meeting, Trump stated, would occur after his inauguration on January 20.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that President Putin has repeatedly expressed his willingness to engage in talks with international leaders, including President Trump.
“No conditions are required for this; only a mutual desire and political will to conduct a dialogue and resolve existing problems through dialogue is required,” Peskov said.
He acknowledged Trump’s openness to addressing issues through dialogue, saying, “We see that Mr. Trump also declares his readiness to resolve problems through dialogue; we welcome this.”
While there are no specific plans for a meeting yet, Peskov noted that Russia is operating under the assumption that both sides are open to such discussions. “Apparently, after Mr. Trump enters the Oval Office, there will be some movement,” he added.
Trump has repeatedly voiced his ambition to bring a swift resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a war that has raged for nearly three years. At the Mar-a-Lago event, he reiterated, “We have to get that war over with. That’s a bloody mess.”
