Putin comments on US efforts to mend bilateral relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the efforts of the new U.S. administration to rebuild relations between Moscow and Washington, but he noted that the process remains complex. “We know the new administration, headed by President...
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the efforts of the new U.S. administration to rebuild relations between Moscow and Washington, but he noted that the process remains complex.
“We know the new administration, headed by President [Donald] Trump, is doing everything to restore at least part of what was practically reduced to zero, destroyed by the previous American administration,” Putin stated on Friday during a meeting with Russia’s Security Council.
He emphasized, however, that the “process is not easy, if not to say complicated,” adding, “let’s see what comes of it.”
Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, communication between Russia and the U.S. nearly collapsed, as both nations enforced various restrictions on each other. This included downsizing diplomatic staff, limiting banking access, and seizing diplomatic properties. Moscow insists its actions were direct responses to those taken by Washington.
The new U.S. administration has expressed a willingness to normalize relations. Trump engaged in a lengthy phone conversation with Putin on February 12, and subsequent high-level meetings occurred between Russian and U.S. delegations in Saudi Arabia and Türkiye aimed at reestablishing dialogue.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that economic ties between Washington and Moscow could be restored once the conflict in Ukraine is resolved. Trump has also mentioned that sanctions on Russia might be lifted “at some point” as part of a negotiated settlement concerning Ukraine.
The Kremlin reported that Putin met on Thursday with Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who came to Moscow to provide more detailed information regarding Tuesday’s U.S.-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia.
After the talks in Jeddah, Washington and Kyiv released a joint statement where Ukraine expressed agreement to a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, and the U.S. announced the re-initiation of military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
At a press conference on Thursday, Putin declared that Russia “absolutely supports” the idea of resolving the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means and is open to discussing Trump’s ceasefire proposal. The Russian leader suggested this could involve a direct conversation with the U.S. president.
However, Putin underlined that all specifics of a ceasefire need to be clarified first, noting that Moscow is not pursuing a temporary solution but instead seeks a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this article for TROIB News
“We know the new administration, headed by President [Donald] Trump, is doing everything to restore at least part of what was practically reduced to zero, destroyed by the previous American administration,” Putin stated on Friday during a meeting with Russia’s Security Council.
He emphasized, however, that the “process is not easy, if not to say complicated,” adding, “let’s see what comes of it.”
Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, communication between Russia and the U.S. nearly collapsed, as both nations enforced various restrictions on each other. This included downsizing diplomatic staff, limiting banking access, and seizing diplomatic properties. Moscow insists its actions were direct responses to those taken by Washington.
The new U.S. administration has expressed a willingness to normalize relations. Trump engaged in a lengthy phone conversation with Putin on February 12, and subsequent high-level meetings occurred between Russian and U.S. delegations in Saudi Arabia and Türkiye aimed at reestablishing dialogue.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that economic ties between Washington and Moscow could be restored once the conflict in Ukraine is resolved. Trump has also mentioned that sanctions on Russia might be lifted “at some point” as part of a negotiated settlement concerning Ukraine.
The Kremlin reported that Putin met on Thursday with Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who came to Moscow to provide more detailed information regarding Tuesday’s U.S.-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia.
After the talks in Jeddah, Washington and Kyiv released a joint statement where Ukraine expressed agreement to a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, and the U.S. announced the re-initiation of military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
At a press conference on Thursday, Putin declared that Russia “absolutely supports” the idea of resolving the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means and is open to discussing Trump’s ceasefire proposal. The Russian leader suggested this could involve a direct conversation with the U.S. president.
However, Putin underlined that all specifics of a ceasefire need to be clarified first, noting that Moscow is not pursuing a temporary solution but instead seeks a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this article for TROIB News
