Trump team plans early talks with Putin to end Ukraine conflict
In a significant departure from the Biden administration’s approach, President-elect Donald Trump’s team is preparing for early discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to CNN’s January 19 report, citing informed sources, Trump’s national security team has been planning a phone call with the Kremlin leader to set the stage for a face-to-face meeting aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
The planned communication, expected to take place shortly after Trump’s inauguration, would mark a dramatic shift in US policy toward Moscow. Under the Biden administration, direct communication between the two leaders has been virtually nonexistent for nearly three years. Trump’s pledge to initiate talks with Putin underscores his broader criticism of US aid to Ukraine and his commitment to ending the conflict swiftly.
CNN reports that Trump’s team began laying the groundwork for a potential dialogue several weeks ago, though a precise date for the call has not yet been confirmed. In a public statement earlier this month, Trump indicated his willingness to engage with Putin, stating, “The Russian leader wants to meet, and we are setting it up.” This proactive stance has fueled speculation about Trump’s strategy to resolve the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has affirmed Putin’s openness to negotiations with the incoming US president. However, he emphasized the lack of substantial preparations on Russia’s side, suggesting that any significant developments would occur after Trump’s inauguration. “We are calmly waiting for Trump’s team to take over. After that, let’s see what happens,” echoed Yury Ushakov, a senior foreign policy aide to Putin.
Reports from US media suggest that Trump’s team is........
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