Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he is prepared to explore compromises over the Ukraine war in potential talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, stating that he has no preconditions for starting negotiations with Ukraine’s leadership.
Putin’s comments came during his annual televised Q&A session, where he fielded questions about Russia’s military operations and relations with the West. Responding to an American journalist, Putin said he was open to meeting Trump, whom he has not spoken to in years, to discuss resolving the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“We have always said that we are ready for negotiations and compromises,” Putin said. He added that Russian forces were advancing on all fronts in Ukraine and nearing their primary objectives. “Soon, those Ukrainians willing to fight will run out. The other side must also be prepared for negotiations and compromises.”
President-elect Trump, known for his book “The Art of the Deal,” has pledged to end the war quickly but has not detailed his approach. Putin dismissed suggestions that Russia is in a weakened position, asserting that the country has grown stronger since the conflict began.
Last month, Reuters reported that Putin was open to a Ukraine ceasefire deal with Trump but insisted that Kyiv abandon its NATO ambitions and ruled out any significant territorial concessions. On Thursday, Putin reiterated that Russia had no preconditions for negotiations and would engage with any legitimate Ukrainian authorities, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
However, Putin indicated that any agreement must be legally binding and could only be signed with the Ukrainian parliament, which the Kremlin currently recognizes as the sole legitimate authority.
Putin suggested using the preliminary agreement drafted by Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul during the war’s early weeks as a foundation for talks. However, he noted that this draft was never implemented and is viewed by some Ukrainian politicians as a capitulation that would weaken the country’s military and political independence.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and created the most significant crisis between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, having captured thousands of square kilometers of territory this year alone. Moscow remains determined to incorporate four Ukrainian regions into Russia.
Putin highlighted the complexity of the military campaign, describing progress as steady but unpredictable. “It is difficult and pointless to guess what lies ahead,” he said. “We are moving toward achieving the primary tasks outlined at the start of this special military operation.”
On Russia’s economy, Putin warned of overheating and rising inflation. He also addressed Russia’s military presence in Syria, saying Moscow’s bases remain secure despite speculation about waning influence in the Middle East.
Putin also touted the capabilities of Russia’s “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile, offering to test its effectiveness against Western air defense systems in Ukraine. “Let them choose a target, say Kyiv, and we’ll see if their systems can intercept it,” he said.
As the war in Ukraine continues to escalate, international attention now turns to the potential for a Trump-Putin dialogue to break the deadlock. Both leaders have yet to outline specific steps toward peace.
