NOV 09, V7N- The Kremlin announced that while President Vladimir Putin is open to discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about the Ukraine conflict, Moscow’s demands regarding the war remain unchanged. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that the Kremlin’s objectives—focused on Russian security interests and claims over certain Ukrainian territories—are firm and unaffected by any future talks with Trump.

Putin has previously stipulated that for peace, Ukraine must abandon NATO aspirations and withdraw its forces from four regions claimed by Russia. Ukraine, however, views these demands as unacceptable, effectively a capitulation, and has countered with its own “victory plan,” seeking increased Western support to regain territory.

On the campaign trail, Trump suggested he could bring an end to the war within 24 hours, though he did not disclose specifics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded cautiously, expressing uncertainty about Trump’s approach, as he worried that a hasty resolution could mean severe losses for Ukraine. Trump and Putin have not yet spoken since Trump’s victory, though Trump indicated a call might happen soon, and Putin recently congratulated Trump on his election win.

While the Kremlin welcomes dialogue, it tempered expectations for a rapid improvement in U.S.-Russia relations, which have been severely strained by U.S. support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.

END/WD/RH/