Ukraine: Putin Ready To Talk To Trump, Awaits Signals — Kremlin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Peskov stated, “Putin is ready. We are waiting for signals,” signaling Russia’s willingness to engage in talks, despite the continued tensions surrounding the war.

Both leaders have previously expressed interest in dialogue, although the path to peace remains clouded by ongoing hostilities. Trump, who recently assumed office, has warned Russia of harsher economic sanctions if Moscow fails to agree to end its involvement in Ukraine. While Trump has long touted his diplomatic skills, his approach now includes leveraging economic pressure, particularly on global oil prices, as a strategy to curb Russia’s actions.

In remarks made at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Trump suggested that manipulating oil prices could force Russia to end the war. He proposed lowering global oil prices and working with Saudi Arabia and OPEC to drive prices down, claiming, “If the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately.”

However, the Kremlin dismissed Trump’s assertion that the war is linked to oil revenues. Peskov countered that the conflict is driven by security concerns rather than economic factors. “This conflict does not depend on oil prices,” Peskov asserted, emphasizing that Russia’s military actions are motivated by broader geopolitical threats, including concerns over its national security and the safety of Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine.

Peskov also expressed frustration with the United States and European nations for their unwillingness to address Russia’s security concerns. He criticized the refusal of Western powers to engage meaningfully with Russia, which he suggested has exacerbated the ongoing conflict. “The lack of desire and complete refusal of Americans and Europeans to listen to Russia’s concerns” has, in his view, played a role in prolonging the hostilities.

While the prospect of a meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump remains open, Peskov refrained from speculating on when or how such discussions might take place. “It’s hard to read coffee grounds” to predict the future, he remarked, leaving the door open for potential talks while acknowledging the challenges of navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.