The Russian president says he’s ready for dialogue with his US counterpart
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. © Steffen Kugler /BPA via Getty Images
Russia congratulates Donald Trump on taking office as US president and welcomes his proclaimed intent to resume contacts between the two countries, Vladimir Putin has said, during a meeting of the country’s National Security Council on Monday.
“We’re hearing the statements of the newly elected US president and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia, which were halted by the outgoing administration. We also hear his statement about the need to do everything to prevent world war three,” Putin said.
“Of course, we welcome such an attitude and congratulate the elected US president on taking office,” he added.
Moscow has never “refused dialogue” with Washington and has always expressed readiness to deal with any US administration, the president noted. Russia remains committed to its principles and believes the dialogue must be built upon “equal and mutually respectful basis,” Putin emphasized.
Trump has repeatedly signaled his intent to engage in talks with Putin, particularly with the aim of bringing the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to an end. Last week, the incoming US president announced he planned to meet with Putin “very quickly” after getting sworn in.
“I know he [Putin] wants to meet, and I’m going to meet very quickly,” Trump said last Monday. “I would have done it sooner, but … you have to get into the office.”
Any potential in-person meeting between the two leaders is expected to be preceded by a phone talk. Moscow has repeatedly signaled its readiness to communicate with the incoming administration. According to the Kremlin, however, no exact details on when or where a potential meeting would take place have been ironed out.