Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated Donald Trump on assuming the office of US president. The statement was made during a meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation broadcast on Russian television. The Russian president emphasized that “we are open to dialogue” and pointed to “the most important thing.”
A few hours before the swearing-in Donald Trumpon Monday, Vladimir Putin congratulated the American president-elect on taking office. The statement was made during a meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation broadcast on Russian state television.
Putin on Trump: we are happy with this attitude
Putin said, among other things, that Russia is open to dialogue with the new US administration on key international issues, including Ukraine and nuclear weapons.
– We see the statements of the newly elected President of the United States and members of his team regarding the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia, Putin said. – We also hear his declarations about the need to do everything possible to prevent a third world war. Of course, we are happy with this attitude and congratulate the president USA taking office – he added.
– We have never refused dialogue, we have always been ready to maintain an attitude of cooperation with any American administration (…). We are also open to dialogue with the new US administration regarding the Ukrainian conflict. The most important thing is to address the basic causes of the crisis, which we have talked about many times, he said.
“The goal should not be a short ceasefire.”
The Russian leader said he wants long-term peace in Ukraine instead of a short-term ceasefire. – As for the resolution of the situation itself (in Ukraine – ed.), I want to emphasize that the goal should not be a short ceasefire, not some period of respite that would allow for the regrouping and rearming of forces, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people and nations that live in the region, he said.
Advisor to the US president-elect on national security issues Mike Waltz announced a few days ago that there may be a telephone conversation between Trump and Putin in the coming days and weeks.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL