Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to discuss Ukraine with US President-elect Donald Trump, but that does not mean he intends to change Moscow’s demands, the Kremlin said today.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the statement after being asked at the daily press briefing whether Putin’s availability to speak with Trump indicated a willingness to change those claims.
“The president has never said that the goals of the special military operation are changing. On the contrary, he has repeatedly said that they remain the same,” Peskov noted.
“All this relates to the security interests of our country, the security interests of the Russians who live there. Therefore, there is no talk of changes here,” he emphasized.
Putin on June 14 laid out his terms for ending the war: Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions and withdraw all its troops from all territory in four regions claimed by Russia.
Ukraine rejected them, saying it would amount to surrender, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a “victory plan” that includes requests for additional military support from the West.
During his election campaign, Trump criticized the amount of US military and economic support for Kiev and said he could end the war within 24 hours, without specifying how.
Zelensky congratulated Trump on his victory in the US presidential election, but noted that he does not know how the president-elect plans to end the conflict quickly. “If it’s only fast, it means losses for Ukraine. I still don’t understand how this could be done in any other way. Maybe we don’t know something, we don’t see (something) ,” he said yesterday.
Putin congratulated Trump yesterday on his victory in the US elections, praised him for his courage in the assassination attempt against him in July and noted that Moscow is ready for dialogue with him. He also said that Trump’s comments about trying to end the war are worth paying attention to.
Trump told NBC that he has not spoken to Putin since winning the election, but noted that he believes “we are going to talk.”
When asked about a possible phone call between them, Peskov noted that there was nothing concrete to report yet, and that it would be too early to talk about any improvement in Russia-US relations.
But Putin has often made it clear that he is still open to dialogue, Peskov added.
According to the Kremlin, relations with the United States are at a historic low due to Washington’s support for Ukraine and US sanctions on Russia.
Putin’s last contact with Joe Biden was in February 2022, a few days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when the US president warned him of an immediate and severe response from the West if he attacked.
The Kremlin denied last month that Trump had spoken to Putin since leaving the White House. The American journalist Bob Woodward wrote in his book “War” citing an anonymous partner of the former president that they may have spoken seven times from 2021 when Trump left the White House.
Source: RES-MPE
Interview between Time.news Editor and Geopolitical Expert Dr. Elena Braginski
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Braginski. Thank you for joining us today. With the recent statements coming from the Kremlin about President Putin’s willingness to discuss Ukraine with President-elect Donald Trump, can you give us some insight into the significance of these discussions?
Dr. Elena Braginski: Good morning, and thank you for having me. The willingness to discuss Ukraine is significant, but it must be contextualized. While dialogue is often seen as a step toward peace, we need to understand that the Kremlin’s core demands remain unchanged. This indicates that Putin is not open to concessions.
Time.news Editor: Exactly. The spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the objectives of the “special military operation” are still intact. What does this imply for any potential negotiations?
Dr. Braginski: It suggests a hardline approach from Russia. Putin articulated his terms clearly: Ukraine must renounce its NATO ambitions and withdraw troops from regions claimed by Russia. These demands are non-negotiable from the Russian perspective, which complicates any potential dialogue with an incoming U.S. administration that may seek a different approach.
Time.news Editor: Indeed. There’s also the contrasting stance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who summarily rejected these demands. He has emphasized the need for continued military support from the West. How do you assess this dynamic?
Dr. Braginski: Zelensky’s reaction highlights Ukraine’s determination to maintain sovereignty and territorial integrity. His “victory plan” signifies both a resolve to resist and a call for solidarity from allies. The U.S. military and economic support is paramount for Ukraine to withstand Russian advances, and any negotiations with Trump will likely be scrutinized under this lens.
Time.news Editor: Trump’s campaign rhetoric was notably skeptical of U.S. support for Ukraine, claiming he could resolve the conflict in just 24 hours. What can we interpret from that statement?
Dr. Braginski: Trump’s confidence might attract attention, but it’s crucial to understand that resolving such a complex conflict isn’t simply a matter of will. His phrasing could imply a willingness to broker a deal at Ukraine’s expense, potentially sacrificing its territorial integrity. This creates trepidation for Ukraine, which feels that quick resolutions could lead to heavy losses.
Time.news Editor: That fear was clearly articulated by Zelensky. He expressed uncertainty about how peace could be achieved without significant consequences for Ukraine. What might this mean for future U.S.-Ukraine relations?
Dr. Braginski: If Trump follows through on his inclination to change U.S. foreign policy towards Ukraine, it could lead to friction. Ukraine might feel vulnerable, especially if it senses a shift towards appeasing Russia. Continued American support is vital for Ukraine, but balancing relations with Moscow could create complex dynamics for the incoming administration.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, as both leaders, Putin and Trump, navigate this complex landscape post-election, do you foresee any shifts in strategy from either side?
Dr. Braginski: It’s difficult to predict with certainty. Putin will likely maintain a firm stance dictated by what he perceives as Russia’s security interests. Trump may want to demonstrate his negotiation skills, but any approach must also account for the realities on the ground. Ultimately, the trajectory of U.S.-Russia relations, shaped by these discussions, will depend heavily on both leaders’ willingness to compromise—or not.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Braginski. Your insights are invaluable as we watch these events unfold.
Dr. Braginski: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep a close eye on these developments, as they will shape not only Ukraine’s future but the broader geopolitical landscape as well.