Moscow (Web Desk): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday expressed a desire to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss key issues like the ongoing war in Ukraine and global energy prices, which Trump has made a priority in his first few days back in office.
While Putin acknowledged that peace talks with Ukraine are unlikely unless the West pressures President Zelensky to lift a 2022 decree banning negotiations with him, he suggested that talks with Trump could be beneficial for both sides, especially on energy and security matters.
Putin complimented Trump, calling him "smart and pragmatic," and indicated that a meeting would be a good opportunity to address mutual concerns, especially in light of the economic impact the war has had on Russia.
The Russian president expressed his readiness to engage in talks with the US, emphasizing that the direction of these discussions would depend on decisions made by the American side.
Trump, who returned to office for a second term, has also shown interest in meeting with Putin.
He has previously criticized the ongoing conflict as disastrous for Russia’s economy and has expressed hopes for a swift resolution.
The US president has even suggested that, had he been in office during the 2020 election, the war might never have happened.
Putin echoed Trump’s controversial stance on the 2020 US presidential race, further aligning himself with Trump’s claims about election fraud.
However, the possibility of serious negotiations over Ukraine remains complicated due to the decree issued by Zelensky, which prevents any official talks with Putin.
The Russian president stated that as long as this decree stands, it will be difficult to have meaningful discussions or reach an agreement.
He argued that Western nations, which continue to supply significant financial aid to Ukraine, should exert influence on Zelensky to revoke the decree.
While the situation in Ukraine remains a significant hurdle, Putin indicated that there are other areas for potential cooperation between Russia and the US, particularly in the realm of energy policy.
He mentioned the mutual interest in stabilizing oil prices, noting that both countries are major players in the global energy market, and that extreme fluctuations in prices benefit neither side.
The Russian suggested that there’s room for dialogue between the two leaders on these matters, which could help ease economic pressures on both countries.
The prospect of a meeting between Putin and Trump signals a shift in the diplomatic landscape, with both sides potentially looking to find common ground on broader issues even as the war in Ukraine continues to cast a shadow over international relations.
