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The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, declared this Friday that he would be willing to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, to discuss various matters of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine.
In an interview with the presenter of Russian state television Pável Zarubin, Putin remarked that it would be beneficial to have a meeting "to calmly discuss all the issues affecting the United States and Russia," cited the agency EFE.
He emphasized that Russia has taken note of Trump's willingness for "joint work" and expressed readiness to explore possible points of agreement with the U.S. administration, particularly regarding strategic stability and the global economy.
The Russian leader also suggested that, if Trump had been reelected in 2020, the war in Ukraine might not have occurred. This statement aligns with a similar claim made by Trump on Thursday during his speech at the Davos Forum.
"If they hadn't 'stolen' victory from him in 2020, perhaps the crisis in Ukraine wouldn't have erupted in 2022," commented Putin, referring to the presidential elections of that year.
Regarding the current conflict in Ukraine, Putin emphasized that Moscow would be willing to negotiate, but pointed out that the Ukrainian government is constrained by a decree prohibiting the initiation of talks with Russia.
In this regard, the Russian leader urged the nations that fund Ukraine to pressure Kiev to accept dialogue, suggesting that "they will have to do so" at some point.
The day before, Trump told Russia that Ukraine was ready to negotiate peace and urged them to put an end to that "ridiculous war," while threatening Moscow with further sanctions if they did not accept the agreement.
Frequently asked questions about the potential meeting between Putin and Trump and the situation in Ukraine
Why is Vladimir Putin willing to meet with Donald Trump?
Putin is willing to meet with Trump to discuss issues of bilateral interest and seek common ground, particularly on strategic stability and the global economy. The Russian president has expressed interest in working together with the U.S. administration, especially in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.
How could the meeting between Putin and Trump affect the situation in Ukraine?
The meeting could open a dialogue channel between Russia and the United States, which may facilitate negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Putin has expressed his willingness to negotiate, although he points out that the Ukrainian government is constrained by a decree prohibiting talks with Russia. A meeting with Trump could influence international pressure on Ukraine to initiate peace negotiations.
What is Trump's stance on the conflict in Ukraine?
Donald Trump has stated that, had he remained in power, the war in Ukraine would not have taken place. Trump has described the war as "ridiculous" and has threatened more sanctions against Russia if an agreement is not reached. His approach is to seek a ceasefire and mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
What role does the international community play in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine?
The international community, led by the U.S. and its allies, has provided massive support to Ukraine in the form of economic sanctions against Russia and military assistance to Ukraine. Putin suggests that the nations financing Ukraine should pressure Kiev to accept dialogue, which could be a crucial factor in any future resolution of the conflict.
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