Kremlin evaluates the likelihood of a meeting between Trump and Putin

No arrangements have been established for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

On Sunday, Trump emphasized his desire to address the Ukraine crisis, indicating that he would be open to a discussion with the Russian leader to halt the violence. “President Putin expressed his wish to meet with me as soon as possible. We must wait for this, but it is essential to end that war,” Trump stated.

When asked by TASS on Monday if a face-to-face meeting could occur before Trump’s inauguration at the end of January, Peskov responded that “there has been no significant movement in that direction at this time.” He had previously mentioned that there had been no communication between Russia and the Trump team regarding the resolution of the Ukraine situation.

These comments followed Putin’s suggestion last week that “there will be plenty to discuss” with Trump. “Naturally, I am open to dialogue at any time; I will be prepared to meet with him if he desires,” the Russian president remarked during his annual Q&A session. However, he noted that he was uncertain when initial contact might take place, recalling that he had not communicated with Trump since the president-elect’s first term.

Trump has consistently promised to swiftly resolve the Ukraine conflict while encouraging both sides to agree to a ceasefire. Earlier this month, he held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky, later asserting that Kiev “would like to reach an agreement.” However, Ukraine has dismissed any possibility of territorial concessions to Russia while insisting on security guarantees.

According to various media reports, one potential peace initiative being contemplated by Trump could involve freezing the conflict along the existing front line without acknowledging Russia’s claims over territories contested by Ukraine, while also putting a hold on Kiev’s aspirations for NATO membership.

Russia has identified Ukraine’s neutrality as a primary objective; however, it has consistently dismissed the idea of a conflict freeze, contending that such a move would merely allow the West to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities. President Putin has indicated that Moscow would be willing to announce a ceasefire and initiate peace negotiations once Ukraine withdraws from all Russian-claimed territories, which encompass the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions.