Putin Congratulates Trump on Election Win, Welcomes Opportunity for Renewed Dialogue

Kremlin: Putin Willing to Discuss Resolution of Ukraine Conflict with Trump

November 8, 2024 TruthUSA

Russia’s demands for ending the conflict remain unchanged, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Nov. 8 that Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in commencing discussions with President-elect Donald Trump to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. However, Russia’s conditions for resolving the conflict have not altered.

“During his election campaign, Mr. Trump mentioned his intention to personally engage with Putin. This demonstrates the willingness and openness for dialogue, as emphasized by the Russian head of state yesterday,” Peskov told reporters on Friday, as reported by Russian state-run media Tass.

Putin congratulated Trump on his election victory on Thursday and noted the potential for improving relations between Russia and the United States, citing U.S. support for Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow as factors that have strained relations.

Speaking at an international forum in Sochi, Russia, Putin highlighted the importance of Trump’s statements about restoring ties with Russia and resolving the Ukrainian crisis.

Peskov clarified on Friday that although Putin is willing to engage in dialogue for a resolution, his fundamental demands have not changed. Peskov stated, “Putin has consistently reiterated that the objectives of the military operation remain the same, driven by the security interests of Russia and its citizens in the region.”

Putin’s terms for ending the conflict in Ukraine include Kyiv renouncing its NATO ambitions, lifting Western sanctions against Russia, recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, and relinquishing control of four regions annexed by Russia—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

In June, Putin stated, “As soon as Kyiv indicates readiness to make these decisions, initiates the withdrawal of forces from these regions, and officially renounces its NATO aspirations, we will immediately cease fire and commence negotiations.” These conditions have been rejected by Ukraine, who sees them as capitulation.

These conditions have been rejected by Ukraine, who sees them as capitulation. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unveiled a “victory plan” in November outlining a path to NATO membership, security assurances from Western powers, and authorization to use NATO-supplied long-range weapons against Russia to diminish Moscow’s offensive capabilities.

Trump has promised to expedite the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, leveraging his relationships with Putin and Zelenskyy to broker a peace agreement. While Trump has not revealed detailed plans for a resolution, he expressed the intention of negotiating a mutually beneficial settlement.

Zelenskyy stated that making concessions to Russia would be “unacceptable” for Kyiv and “suicidal” for Europe. He emphasized the importance of firm security guarantees before discussing a cease-fire.

“A cease-fire that allows continued occupation of Ukraine undermines our independence and sovereignty,” Zelenskyy mentioned during a summit in Budapest on Nov. 7.

In a post-election interview with NBC News on Nov. 7, Trump mentioned speaking with Zelenskyy post-election but had not yet discussed with Putin. He anticipates conversing with the Russian leader in the future.

Putin, in his statements in Sochi, noted that he would not oppose initiating a call to Trump, with Peskov mentioning that the timing and agenda of a potential Putin-Trump call remain uncertain.

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