Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his readiness to talk with US President-elect Donald Trump. During his marathon year-end news conference on December 9, Putin revealed that he has not spoken to Trump in over four years but is open to discussions to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Putin's statement comes amid expectations that the new administration in Washington will push for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Addressing a question from NBC’s Kier Simmons, Putin said, “First of all, I don’t know when we will meet. Because he hasn’t said anything about it. I haven’t spoken to him at all in over four years. Of course, I am ready for this at any time, and I will be ready for a meeting if he wants it.”
During the conference, Putin also addressed the situation on the battlefield, particularly in the southern Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been holding onto settlements following a surprise incursion in August. He declined to specify when Russian forces would retake the region but insisted that they were making advances “along the entire frontline.”
Putin dismissed the notion that Russia is in a weakened negotiating position due to recent setbacks, stating, “I adhere to a different point of view. I believe that Russia has become much stronger over the past two or three years. Why? Because we are becoming a truly sovereign country, we are already hardly dependent on anyone.”
The potential for talks between Putin and Trump marks a notable shift in the geopolitical landscape. Trump has denied having multiple calls with Putin since leaving office, contradicting a report by veteran journalist Bob Woodward that the pair had held “maybe as many as seven” conversations since 2021.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the international community will be closely watching the developments and the potential for a negotiated end to the war. Putin's readiness for talks with Trump could pave the way for significant diplomatic efforts in the coming months.
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