By Vladimir Soldatkin and Anastasia Lyrchikova
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed on Friday that he would like to meet with Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing Ukraine conflict and rising energy prices, topics that have been emphasized by the U.S. president during his initial days in office.
However, Putin cautioned that significant peace negotiations with Ukraine cannot proceed unless Western countries exert pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to revoke a 2022 decree preventing talks with the Russian leader.
Zelenskiy accused Putin of attempting to manipulate the new U.S. president’s peace initiatives.
Putin characterized Trump, who recently threatened new sanctions and tariffs against Russia unless it engages in negotiations to end the war, as intelligent and pragmatic, asserting that he does not anticipate any sanctions that could adversely affect the U.S. economy.
“Thus, it’s likely more beneficial for us to meet and calmly discuss all mutual interests of both the United States and Russia. We are prepared,” he stated during an interview with a Russian television reporter, although he indicated that the decision ultimately rests with the U.S.
This represents the clearest signal yet that the Kremlin is eager for a summit with Trump after years of minimal high-level engagement with Western leaders due to the Ukraine crisis.
Trump, inaugurated for a second non-consecutive term on Monday, has also expressed a desire to meet Putin, advocating for a prompt resolution to the conflict. He labeled the war as “ridiculous,” claiming it is detrimental to Russia’s economy.
Putin noted that he has always maintained “pragmatic and trusting” relations with Trump and supported Trump’s unfounded assertion that he was the legitimate victor of the 2020 U.S. election.
“I concur that had he been president and his election not been ‘stolen’ in 2020, perhaps the 2022 crisis in Ukraine would not have emerged,” Putin remarked, referencing the onset of his “special military operation” in Ukraine that February.
Putin acknowledged Trump’s willingness to collaborate, saying: “We are always open to this.”
STICKING POINT WITH UKRAINE
Nonetheless, the Russian leader pointed out that a significant hurdle remains: Zelenskiy’s decree, enacted in 2022 in response to Russia’s annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions, which most countries at the U.N. have condemned as illegal. This decree prevents serious negotiations with Putin.
Putin remarked that this limitation means discussions can only entail “preliminary outlines” rather than substantive negotiations. He indicated that any discussions held under these conditions would lack legitimacy, causing any resultant agreements to be legally contestable.
He urged Western nations, which have provided “hundreds of billions” to Zelenskiy, to compel the Ukrainian leader to repeal the decree, asserting, “Ultimately, those who finance him should make him do it. I believe he will have to comply. However, until this decree is overturned, advancing serious negotiations is quite challenging.”
Shortly after, Zelenskiy reported in a nightly address that Ukraine’s military command received intelligence concerning “Russia’s military capabilities and Putin’s intent to perpetuate the conflict and manipulate world leaders.”
“He is particularly trying to exploit the U.S. president’s aspirations for peace,” he remarked, expressing confidence that Russian manipulation efforts would fail.
Zelenskiy did not address the 2022 decree concerning negotiations with Putin.
Putin mentioned there is ample opportunity for discussion with the Trump administration on matters such as arms control and energy, given that both nations are significant oil producers and consumers.
He noted that excessively high or low oil prices can negatively impact both countries, with Trump recently urging OPEC to lower oil prices.
