Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on taking office and expressed openness to dialogue with the incoming administration on key international issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and nuclear arms control.
Speaking during a televised meeting of Russia’s Security Council, Putin acknowledged statements from Trump and his team about their desire to restore direct contacts with Russia.
“We see the statements by the newly elected president of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia,” Putin said.
“We also hear his statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War Three. We of course welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on taking office.”
Putin’s remarks reflect cautious optimism within Russia that Trump’s presidency could help repair strained ties between Washington and Moscow, which have deteriorated to their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. However, Russian officials remain wary, acknowledging that such expectations may not materialise.
During the meeting, which was held on a Monday rather than the usual Friday schedule, Putin reiterated Russia’s readiness to engage with the new US administration on a range of security concerns.
“As for the resolution of the situation in Ukraine, I would like to emphasise that the goal should not be a brief ceasefire, not some kind of period of respite that would allow a regrouping and rearmament of forces, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people and all peoples who live in the region,” Putin said.
The Russian leader also indicated Moscow’s willingness to discuss arms control, particularly in light of the approaching expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the US and Russia can deploy.
The treaty, which governs the deployment of land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers, is set to expire on February 5, 2026.
While Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war in Ukraine, he has not yet detailed how his administration intends to achieve this.
Meanwhile, Putin has made it clear that any negotiations must recognise Russia’s territorial claims, a stance that Ukraine has firmly rejected as unacceptable.
Boluwatife Enome
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