Official announcements from the Russian or U.S. governments or credible news sources

Putin Ready to Meet Trump After Four Years, Open to Talks with Re-elected Zelensky

Dec 19, 2024, 11:06 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during his annual press conference that he is ready to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at any time. Putin noted that he has not spoken with Trump in over four years but expressed openness to future discussions. He emphasized that "politics is the art of compromise" and stated that Russia is always prepared for negotiations and compromises. Putin also indicated his willingness to engage in talks with Ukraine, saying he is ready to negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if he is re-elected, and that any discussions must be based on the previous Istanbul agreements and the current facts on the ground. Putin's remarks come as Trump has recently called for a ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.