Moscow, February 19, 2025: Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his willingness to meet Donald Trump, but he insists that any such meeting must be well-prepared to ensure meaningful outcomes.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Putin said he would be “pleased” to meet Trump but acknowledged that the former U.S. president’s expectations for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict might have changed.
Russia-U.S. Talks in Riyadh ‘Very Positive’
Putin highlighted the recent meeting between Russian and U.S. officials in Riyadh, calling the discussions “very positive.” He noted that the American delegation displayed a new openness, free from past biases and condemnations. The main focus of the talks, according to Putin, was restoring trust between Russia and the U.S., which he deemed essential for resolving global issues, including the Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine’s Concerns Dismissed
Putin brushed off Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s concerns about being excluded from the talks, calling them “unfounded.” He claimed that Trump had assured him that any future negotiations would include Ukraine and that no side was being deliberately left out.
Putin Surprised by Trump’s ‘Restraint’ Toward Europe
The Russian leader also commented on Trump’s measured approach toward European leaders who had backed his rival in the U.S. election. He noted that many European politicians directly intervened in U.S. politics and even insulted Trump, yet Trump has shown restraint in dealing with them.
Russia Open to Talks, but Europe and Ukraine Hesitant
Putin reiterated that Russia has never refused negotiations with Ukraine or European nations but blamed Kyiv and its allies for cutting off diplomatic channels. He pointed to Zelenskyy’s 2022 decree, which ruled out any peace talks with Moscow.
As tensions persist, Putin’s comments suggest a possible shift in diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States, with a potential Trump-Putin meeting being a significant development in the ongoing crisis.
