Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his readiness to engage in potential talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump, despite not having spoken to him in over four years.
Speaking at his annual year-end news conference on Thursday, December 19, Putin acknowledged the expectation that the new U.S. administration might seek a negotiated end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
During the extensive public Q&A session, Putin responded to a question about a possible meeting with President-elect Trump, stating, “I don’t know when we will meet… But I am ready for this at any time.”
He emphasized that he had not spoken to Trump since the latter left office but would be open to a dialogue if Trump wished to engage.
The Russian president also addressed the current situation on the battlefield, specifically regarding Russia’s advances in Ukraine.
When asked about Russia’s progress in the southern Kursk region, which has seen intense fighting since a surprise Ukrainian incursion in August, Putin declined to specify when Russian forces would retake the entire region, though he promised that Russia would eventually push Ukrainian forces out.
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Putin further claimed that despite setbacks in Ukraine and the Middle East, Russia had become significantly stronger in recent years, emphasizing its growing sovereignty.
“Russia has become much stronger… we are hardly dependent on anyone,” he said.
In his discussion about the Kursk region, Putin dismissed the Ukrainian forces’ efforts, stating that it made no military sense for them to be there and accusing them of throwing their best units into the fight.
He vowed that Russia would eventually expel Ukrainian forces from the region.
Meanwhile, Trump has denied reports suggesting that he and Putin have had multiple conversations since Trump left office.
This contradicts claims made in journalist Bob Woodward’s recent book, which alleged that the two men had spoken on as many as seven occasions since 2021.
Putin’s comments came amid ongoing international discussions about the future of the war in Ukraine, as pressure mounts for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
The Russian president’s willingness to engage with Trump suggests that Moscow may be anticipating shifts in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine.