US President Donald Trump has suggested that he is open to visiting Russia, contingent on progress in peace negotiations to end the ongoing Ukraine conflict. During a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington on February 24, Trump was asked about the possibility of a visit to Moscow. He responded, “If all this gets settled down, which I think it will, sure, I would go there, and he’d come here too,” seemingly referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin potentially visiting the US.

This statement has sparked discussions on the potential for a significant diplomatic thaw between Washington and Moscow, particularly as it comes amid Trump’s direct efforts to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict. While the details of such a visit remain uncertain, the very suggestion signals an attempt by the Trump administration to reshape relations with Russia, potentially altering the trajectory of US foreign policy.

Trump’s comments hint at a conditional approach, with a visit to Russia dependent on the resolution of the Ukraine crisis. This stance aligns with his broader foreign policy philosophy of direct engagement, often favoring diplomacy over prolonged hostilities. The notion of a presidential visit to Moscow is notable given the deeply strained relations between the two countries in recent years, particularly due to the Ukraine war and extensive sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and its allies.

Reports of a possible visit gained traction after French conservative news magazine Le Point claimed on February 21 that “the scenario of Trump’s presence in Moscow alongside Putin on May 9 is being seriously considered in Europe.”........

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