President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a meeting between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin was being arranged, according to Reuters. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia had not received any request to set up such a meeting, as reported by Interfax.
With Trump’s inauguration approaching, his team, along with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, are preparing for potential peace talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year war.
Why It Matters
The conflicting statements from Trump and the Kremlin about a potential meeting may indicate divergent views on how the war should be resolved. This also casts doubt on Trump’s promise to bring an immediate end to the war—a plan that has been increasingly questioned, even by his own appointees.
What to Know
In a statement made before meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago on January 9, Trump confirmed, "He wants to meet, and we are setting it up," adding that "President Putin wants to meet. He has said that even publicly, and we have to get that war over with. That’s a bloody mess."
However, during a press conference on January 7, Trump declined to specify a date for a meeting, noting, "I know that Putin would like to meet, but I don't think it's appropriate until after the 20th, which I hate because every day people, many young people, are being killed."
Kremlin spokesperson Peskov responded on January 9, stating, "No, there were no requests. But, for obvious reasons, it would probably be more expedient to wait until the new US president takes office." He added, "If, after taking office, the political will to resume contacts at the highest level remains, then, of course, President Putin will only welcome this. He has repeatedly spoken about his readiness for dialogue and the need for this dialogue."
This marks another instance of the Kremlin contradicting statements from Trump's team. After Trump won the 2024 election, he claimed to have spoken with Putin about achieving peace in Europe and urging him not to escalate the war. However, the Kremlin denied the conversation, with Peskov calling it "completely untrue" and stating that "no conversations took place." When asked about a potential meeting, Peskov responded, "There are no concrete plans yet."
Speculation about talks with both Putin and Zelensky has intensified as Trump’s inauguration nears. Trump’s Ukraine and Russia envoy, Keith Kellogg, recently postponed a trip to Kyiv until after Trump returns to the White House. Both Trump and Kellogg have emphasized their desire to end the war swiftly, with Kellogg setting a goal of achieving peace within 100 days.
What People Are Saying
On X (formerly Twitter), lawyer and commentator Tristan Snell posted, "BREAKING - Trump says Putin wants to meet with him, and a meeting is being arranged. Well, of course. Trump needs to get his marching orders, and Putin wants to check in on his #1 asset."
Animator Paul A. Szypula tweeted, "Trump says Putin wants a meeting and they're setting one up. If you cut through the noise, what this means is there will be peace with Ukraine soon. That's what America voted for, peace and our resources being used for Americans."
What Happens Next
The details of where and how Trump and Putin will meet to discuss the war in Ukraine and other key issues remain uncertain. It’s also unclear whether Ukraine will be included in any discussions or accept the outcomes of any potential negotiations.
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