Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the Ukraine war and energy prices—issues Trump has prioritized during his first week back in office.
However, Putin emphasized that meaningful peace talks with Ukraine could not occur unless Western nations pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to overturn a 2022 decree barring negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy, in response, accused Putin of attempting to manipulate Trump’s peace efforts.
Putin on Trump and Ukraine
Putin described Trump as “smart and pragmatic” and said he did not expect the U.S. leader to implement sanctions that would hurt the American economy. “It would be better for us to meet calmly and discuss areas of mutual interest for the U.S. and Russia. We are ready,” Putin said, adding that the decision ultimately lies with Washington.
This is the clearest sign yet that Moscow is eager for a summit with Trump, following three years of limited high-level contact with Western leaders due to the Ukraine conflict.
Trump, who began his second (non-consecutive) term as president on Monday, has expressed a desire to meet with Putin and end the war. He recently called the conflict “ridiculous” and claimed it was devastating Russia’s economy.
Putin’s Stance on U.S. Politics
Putin also reiterated his support for Trump’s unfounded claims that the 2020 U.S. election was stolen, stating:
“If Trump had been president in 2022, perhaps the crisis in Ukraine could have been avoided.”
Putin launched his so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022, following Ukraine’s refusal to recognize Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
Zelenskyy and the Sticking Point for Talks
Putin noted that Zelenskyy’s 2022 decree outlawing negotiations with Russia is a major obstacle to peace. He argued that Western countries funding Ukraine should compel Zelenskyy to rescind the decree.
“The ones paying the money should force him to act,” Putin said. Until the decree is canceled, any talks would lack legitimacy and could be legally challenged, he added.
Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, dismissed Putin’s comments as an attempt to manipulate world leaders, including Trump. “Russia’s manipulations will no longer succeed,” he said, without mentioning the decree.
Energy and Arms Control
Putin also expressed interest in collaborating with the Trump administration on issues like arms control and energy. As two of the world’s largest oil producers and consumers, he noted that excessively high or low oil prices harm both countries. Trump, earlier this week, called on OPEC to lower oil prices.
“There is much to discuss,” Putin concluded.