Vladimir Putin: I am ready to talk to Trump over Ukraine
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In his lengthy televised press conference where he highlights Russia's military successes, Vladimir Putin expresses a willingness to negotiate regarding Ukraine in potential peace talks to conclude the conflict. He also states that he has no preconditions for initiating these discussions.
The Russian leader informed a journalist that he was open to meeting with Donald Trump, mentioning that they hadn't communicated for several years.
The newly elected president of the United States has promised to quickly bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine, though he hasn’t provided any specifics on how he plans to do so.
When questioned about what he could provide to Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin rejected the idea that Russia was in a vulnerable state.
“We have consistently stated our willingness to engage in talks and make concessions,” Mr. Putin remarked, following his assertion that Russian troops, progressing along the entire front, were on track to meet their main objectives in Ukraine.
In my view, it won’t be long before the Ukrainians willing to fight become scarce, and eventually, there may be no one left who is eager to continue. While we are prepared to engage, it’s essential for the opposing side to be open to discussions and to make concessions as well.
Last month, Reuters shared that Mr. Putin expressed a willingness to talk about a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine with Mr. Trump. However, he made it clear that he would not agree to significant territorial concessions and insisted that Kyiv must give up its aspirations to join NATO.
On Thursday, Mr. Putin announced that Russia is not in a position to initiate discussions with Ukraine but is open to negotiations with anyone, including Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, he stated that any agreement could only be finalized with the recognized officials of Ukraine, and at this time, the Kremlin regards the Ukrainian parliament as the sole legitimate authority.
Mr. Zelensky, whose term was supposed to end earlier this year but has been prolonged because of martial law, would have to win re-election for Moscow to recognize him as a valid signatory to any agreement. This would help ensure that the deal holds legal validity, according to Mr. Putin.
Discussions should begin with a preliminary agreement that was established but never put into action during negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul during the initial weeks of the conflict, he noted.
Certain Ukrainian politicians view the proposed agreement as a form of surrender that would undermine Ukraine's military and political goals.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, caused millions to flee their homes, and has sparked the most significant rift in relations between Moscow and Western nations since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
In a conversation about the ongoing presence of Ukrainian soldiers in Russia's Kursk area, Mr. Putin mentioned that the troops from Kyiv would eventually be removed, but he did not specify when that would take place.
The conflict has changed the Russian economy, and Mr. Putin mentioned that it was beginning to overheat, which is contributing to concerning levels of inflation. However, he asserted that the growth in Russia is surpassing that of several other countries, including the UK.
When a BBC reporter inquired whether he had taken care of Russia — a request made by Boris Yeltsin before he transferred the presidency in late 1999 — Mr. Putin replied that he had.
“We have stepped away from a precarious situation,” Mr. Putin stated. “I have taken all necessary actions to guarantee that Russia remains an autonomous nation capable of making decisions that serve its own interests.”
Mr. Putin also boasted about the superiority of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, indicating that he was prepared to conduct another test launch aimed at Ukraine to see if Western air defense systems could intercept it.
During a press conference at a European Council meeting in Brussels, Mr. Zelensky raised the question, "Do you believe he is mentally stable?"
Russia is making gradual progress in Ukraine, although it's been sluggish and not without its difficulties. Recently, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was killed in a bombing outside his apartment in Moscow. Ukraine has openly taken responsibility for this bold assassination, which has once again highlighted the conflict within the heart of the Russian capital. President Putin characterized this incident as a significant failure on the part of Russia's security services.
This report also includes contributions from Reuters and the Associated Press.
