Russia’s Putin Says He’s Ready For Talks With Trump To End Ukraine War
Russia has indicated its readiness to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump to enhance relations with Ukraine, contingent on the United States making the initial move, Kremlin officials disclosed this week.
The development bolsters prospects for peace talks as the war in Ukraine nears its third anniversary, Fox News reported Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia remains open to dialogue over its “special military operation” in Ukraine — the term the Kremlin uses for its involvement in the conflict. However, Lavrov underscored that any steps toward diplomacy must be initiated by the U.S.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday his willingness to engage in peace talks hosted in Slovakia, citing an offer from the Slovak prime minister during a recent Kremlin visit.
“If the signals coming from the new team in Washington about restoring dialogue — dialogue that Washington cut off following the start of the special military operation [the war in Ukraine] — are genuine, we will, of course, respond positively,” Lavrov stated during the briefing.
Nonetheless, he emphasized that the responsibility lies with the U.S., telling reporters, “The Americans were the ones to break the dialogue, so it’s up to them to make the first move.”
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to end the war on “day one” of his presidency. Now, based on statements from Russian and Ukrainian officials, that pledge seems increasingly feasible.
Lavrov’s comments align with earlier remarks from retired Lieutenant-General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s nominee for Ukraine envoy, who suggested in a recent Fox News interview that both Russia and Ukraine might be open to brokering peace.
Kellogg highlighted the devastating human cost, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and collective fatigue on both sides as reasons for the growing openness to negotiations as the conflict exceeds 1,000 days.
“I think both sides are ready,” Kellogg said on Fox News. “After over 1,000 days of fighting, with 350,000 to 400,000 Russian troops lost and 150,000 Ukrainian soldiers dead — or figures close to those — both parties seem to be saying, ‘Maybe now’s the time to step back.’”
Russia has faced substantial losses in the conflict, with tens of thousands of soldiers killed. By the fall, U.S. intelligence estimated the Russian military was losing approximately 1,200 soldiers daily.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s power grid has suffered extensive damage from relentless Russian airstrikes aimed at disrupting energy supplies, leaving much of the country in darkness and testing the resilience of its population.
On Christmas Day, Russia launched an enormous assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, deploying around 70 cruise and ballistic missiles and 100 strike drones in an effort to cripple critical facilities nationwide.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the timing of the attack as a “deliberate” provocation by Putin. “What could be more inhuman?” he remarked in a statement.
Ukraine has also experienced setbacks, reportedly losing nearly 40% of the territory it had reclaimed in Russia’s Kursk region, further challenging its morale.
Lavrov’s statements come as Kellogg prepares for a January trip to Ukraine, which he described to Fox News as an opportunity to gather information.
While Kellogg did not reveal specific details of his visit, he expressed optimism about the potential for peace, suggesting that President Trump could serve as a “referee” in facilitating negotiations.
“Imagine a cage fight,” Kellogg explained. “You’ve got two fighters, and both are ready to tap out. You need a referee to step in and separate them.”