Putin Open to Talks with Trump, But Unyielding on Ukraine Stance: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to engage in discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but made it clear that Russia’s demands will remain unchanged. The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that while dialogue is welcome, there should be no expectation of a shift in Russia’s core objectives concerning Ukraine.
This comes after Putin congratulated Trump on his recent election victory, lauding the American leader’s courage during an assassination attempt at a rally in 2020. While the potential for future talks has been acknowledged, Peskov advised caution, indicating that immediate improvement in U.S.-Russia relations should not be assumed.
Despite Putin’s openness to diplomatic engagement, the Kremlin remains steadfast on its Ukraine strategy, signaling that while conversations may occur, they won’t lead to concessions on the battlefield or in Moscow’s broader geopolitical stance.