Russian leader Vladimir Putin suggests that US President-elect Donald Trump can take into account the Kremlin’s interests without demanding concessions or benefits in return. This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
At the Valdai Forum on 7 November, Putin expressed his readiness for talks aimed at ‘restoring’ relations between Russia and the United States. In his opinion, it is the United States that should take the initiative to start a dialogue.
Putin noted that Moscow is ready to consider a reset of relations only under conditions that include the lifting of sanctions against Russia and the end of support for Ukraine, which is beneficial only to Russia and does not provide benefits for the United States.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin’s call for talks with the US does not indicate a change in Russia’s military goals in Ukraine. On the contrary, Moscow retains its previous ambitions.
ISW analysts believe that ‘Putin is probably trying to show himself open to dialogue with Trump, but at the same time demonstrating to his domestic audience that the Kremlin has no plans to abandon its maximalist goals in Ukraine or in the international arena.’
As a reminder, US President-elect Donald Trump has previously stated that he does not rule out the possibility of resuming dialogue with Putin.
