Russian President Vladimir Putin declared during his annual press conference that he was ready to meet Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, “at any time” to discuss in particular the situation in Ukraine. This announcement comes as the international community questions…
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to meet American President-elect Donald Trump “at any time” during his major annual press conference in Moscow this Thursday, December 19. This statement comes amid speculation about a possible peace process in Ukraine, a country in the grip of armed conflict since 2014.
Putin open to dialogue with Trump
Asked about his relations with the future tenant of the White House, Vladimir Putin said: “I don’t know when I’m going to see him. He doesn’t say anything about it. I haven’t spoken to him in over four years. I’m ready to do it, of course. Anytime ». The master of the Kremlin added that he would also “ready for a meeting, if he wants” and that they would have “lots to say” if they ever met.
Trump wants to talk with Putin and Zelensky
For his part, Donald Trump recently expressed his desire to speak to Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to “stop the carnage” of the conflict in Ukraine. During his campaign, the president-elect promised to quickly end this war and called for an “immediate ceasefire” as well as peace talks.
The stance is raising concerns among Europeans and Ukrainians, who fear that the United States under Trump will force kyiv to make significant concessions, thereby handing Russia a major geopolitical victory.
Russia sets its conditions
While saying he was in favor of discussions with Ukraine, Vladimir Putin nevertheless warned that they should be based on “the realities on the ground”where Russian forces have had the advantage since the start of the year. Among Moscow’s demands:
- Ukraine’s cession of four regions partially occupied by Russia (Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson)
- The abandonment of Ukrainian ambitions to join NATO
- Recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014
Ukraine urged not to give in
Faced with the difficulties encountered by his army on the ground and fears of a weakening of Western support, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, initially opposed to any concession, has somewhat changed his position in recent months.
Nevertheless, speaking from Brussels, he called on Thursday Europeans not to abandon his country and to show unity, including with the United States, while the announced return of Donald Trump to the American presidency raises many questions about the continuation of the conflict.
Towards a new geopolitical situation?
The coming to power of Donald Trump and his stated desire to dialogue with Vladimir Putin could therefore reshuffle the cards of the diplomatic game around the war in Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether the two men will actually manage to meet and, if necessary, agree on a road map for peace. A process which already promises to be fraught with pitfalls given the difficult to reconcile positions of Moscow and kyiv at the moment.
One thing is certain: the outcome of this standoff will have major repercussions not only for Ukraine and Russia, but also for the entire European security architecture and relations between the West and Moscow. A burning issue which will undoubtedly be at the top of the international priorities of the new American administration.
