Putin Ready to Meet Future U.S. President Trump

Investing.com -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, despite not having communicated for over four years. During the annual televised press conference and phone connection held in Moscow on Thursday, Putin stated that he is willing to meet with Trump at any time if Trump desires it.

President-elect Trump has already articulated his desire to resolve Russia's nearly three-year ongoing conflict with Ukraine before his second term begins on January 20. Trump suggested on Monday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should be prepared to negotiate a deal, and he seemed to downplay the significance of the territories seized by Russia since the full-scale invasion order was given in February 2022.

Trump also expressed hope that Putin would be open to an agreement. However, the incoming U.S. president has yet to clarify how he plans to bring both parties to the negotiating table to end the war and under what conditions he intends to do so.

As Russian forces continue to advance in Eastern Ukraine, Russia has shown reluctance to agree to an urgent ceasefire. Putin reiterated his readiness for talks but insisted that any negotiations must take into account the realities on the ground that have emerged since Russian forces invaded and occupied large areas in the south and east of Ukraine.

Russia is also demanding that Ukraine abandon its goal of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).