Russian President Vladimir Putin Congratulates Donald and Expresses Openness to Ukraine Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his congratulations to Donald Trump for becoming the 47th President of the United States and has expressed readiness to engage in discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported the development on January 20.

During a Security Council meeting, Putin emphasized Moscow’s openness to dialogue with the new U.S. administration, aiming for what he termed “lasting peace” in Ukraine. “The goal should be a durable peace that respects the legitimate interests of all people and nations in the region,” Putin stated. He also stressed that any negotiations with the United States must be conducted on an “equal and mutually respectful basis.”

Trump’s Pledge to End the War in Ukraine

President Trump, who made resolving the Ukraine conflict a cornerstone of his campaign, has set an ambitious objective of securing peace. While he initially pledged to broker a peace deal on his first day in office, his advisors have since acknowledged that achieving this goal could take several months or longer.

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has confirmed that the administration is aiming to make significant progress toward peace within the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency. Reports indicate that Trump has instructed his aides to arrange a phone call with President Putin shortly after his inauguration on January 20. This call is expected to explore avenues for ending the war in Ukraine, with the potential for a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders in the coming months.

Direct Engagement with Putin

President Trump has long advocated for direct engagement with Putin as a strategy for resolving the Ukraine conflict. According to a source close to the president, “Trump believes that direct engagement with Putin is essential to finding a solution to end the war.”

Trump’s national security team has reportedly been preparing for this engagement for weeks, although the exact timing of a potential meeting remains uncertain.

Ukrainian Perspective

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed cautious optimism about Trump’s commitment to peace. Zelensky hopes that the new U.S. administration can provide “real security guarantees” for Ukraine, which has been seeking NATO membership, security assurances, and the deployment of an international peacekeeping contingent to deter future Russian aggression.

As the international community watches closely, Trump’s presidency could usher in a new chapter in U.S.-Russia relations, with potential implications for the future of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.