Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to meet with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitri Peskow said on Monday. However, Peskow noted that Moscow has yet to receive any signals from Washington for possible talks.
Peskow made the statement during a press conference, in which he was asked if Putin was prepared to fly to Washington for a personal meeting with Trump.
“In general, this is a matter that is directly discussed by the heads of state if they consider it necessary to organize such a meeting” Peskow said, neither confirming nor denying the possibility.
“Until now, we have not received any signals from the Americans, so we are working according to our own schedule. But the willingness remains” he added.
Peskow reminded the press that there had been signals from Washington that Trump was also willing to engage in talks, likely referring to the US President’s statement on Thursday in which he said he would meet with Putin immediately to discuss the Ukraine conflict and added, “After what I’ve heard, Putin would like to see me.”
Peskow, however, noted that Washington “apparently needs some time” to prepare for the meeting.
Trump has repeatedly stated that he is seeking a swift end to the Ukraine conflict. After his inauguration last week, he called on Moscow to reach an agreement with Kiev and threatened to impose new sanctions and tariffs if not. He emphasized, however, that he did not want to harm Russia. Reports suggest that Trump has given his new Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, 100 days to achieve a deal between Moscow and Kiev. According to the Kremlin, Moscow has yet to receive any concrete proposals from Washington.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in talks, both with the US and Ukraine and has accused the latter of refusing to resume negotiations.
Last week, Putin stated that Moscow is currently unable to engage in talks with Kiev, as Vladimir Selenskij has banned such discussions. He suggested that Kiev’s Western backers should persuade the Selenskij government to lift the ban, making it possible for talks to resume.
“I believe that those who are funding Kiev should ultimately lift the ban” Putin said in an interview published on Telegram by Rossija 1 journalist Pawel Zarubin.