Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on February 19 that he is open to meeting Donald Trump, but stressed that the meeting must be well-prepared to yield meaningful results.
His remarks come after senior Russian and US officials met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they agreed to work on restoring diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Putin Praises US-Russia Talks in Riyadh
Putin hailed the recent discussions in Riyadh, calling them a step toward improving relations. The meeting, attended by officials from both Washington and Moscow, focused on restoring diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
“There needs to be proper groundwork before any potential meeting with President Trump,” Putin said.
While Putin acknowledged the positive steps made in these negotiations, he did not provide a timeline for when a meeting with Trump might take place.
Zelenskyy Criticizes Trump’s Stance on Russia
Putin’s comments followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks on February 19, where he accused Trump of living in a ‘Russian disinformation space’ due to his administration’s engagement with Kremlin officials.
Zelenskyy is expected to meet Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday. The meeting will likely address Ukraine’s concerns over Trump’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Trump Adjusts Expectations on Ukraine War Settlement
Putin also mentioned that Trump has revised his expectations regarding a resolution to the Ukraine war. While Trump initially expressed confidence in quickly ending the conflict, he has reportedly acknowledged that negotiations may take longer than expected.
Potential Impact of a Putin-Trump Meeting
A direct meeting between Putin and Trump could significantly impact global politics, particularly regarding:
- US-Russia diplomatic relations
- The ongoing war in Ukraine
- Western sanctions on Russia
With both Trump and Biden focusing on foreign policy in the lead-up to the US elections, Putin’s willingness to meet Trump signals Russia’s interest in shaping future diplomatic engagements.
