Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the 47th president of the United States and expressed readiness to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported the news on January 20.
During a Security Council meeting, Putin stated that Moscow is open to talks with the new U.S. administration, aiming for what he called “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 said, adding that any talks with the United States must be conducted on an “equal and mutually respectful basis.”
Trump, who pledged during his campaign to end the war in Ukraine, has set an ambitious goal. While he initially said he would secure a peace deal on his first day in office, his advisors now admit that resolving the conflict could take months or more.
Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, confirmed the administration’s plan to work toward peace within the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency.
