Signalling a positive shift in the relationship between Russia and the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the ties between the two global powers are beginning to stabilise in some ways and thanked US President Donald Trump. The Russian leader expressed his “great respect” for Trump and said he is willing to meet the US President.
Trump quickly responded, saying Putin made some “very nice” remarks.
Trump and Putin have been at odds, particularly over Russia’s refusal to end the war in Ukraine, despite Trump’s repeated appeals, at one point even calling the Russian leader “absolutely crazy”. Nevertheless, both the White House and the Kremlin have often batted for stabilising their relations.
“In general, thanks to President Trump, relations between Russia and the United States are beginning to level out in some ways. Not everything has been decided in the sphere of diplomatic relations, but the first steps have been taken, and we are moving forward,” the Russian President told a press conference in Minsk on Friday.
The development comes nearly two weeks after the two leaders held a lengthy phone conversation to discuss the boiling Middle East amid the Israel-Iran conflict, as well as Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Asked about Putin’s comments, Trump responded, saying, “Vladimir Putin made some very nice statements today,” adding that such remarks would have been impossible under former President Joe Biden.
“He respects our country again. He didn’t respect it a year ago, I can tell you that,” the former US President said at the White House.
READY FOR TALKS WITH UKRAINE: PUTIN
The Russia-Ukraine war has continued unabated, despite a US-led diplomatic effort that resulted in two rounds of direct peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. However, the negotiations yielded no major breakthroughs, with both sides remaining deeply divided over the terms for ending the conflict.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was prepared to engage in a new round of peace talks with Ukraine, potentially in Istanbul, although the time and venue were yet to be finalised. Acknowledging significant differences in the proposals exchanged during earlier talks, Putin expressed hope that continued dialogue could help bridge the gap.
Speaking to reporters in Minsk, Putin said negotiators from both sides remained in regular contact. He also stated that Russia was ready to return the bodies of 3,000 more Ukrainian soldiers.
Trump, meanwhile, said that he thinks something will happen in Russia’s war in Ukraine that would get it “settled,” citing his recent call with Putin.
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