Russian President Putin stated on Wednesday that Ukraine would remain part of negotiations to resolve the war, underscoring the importance of boosting trust between Moscow and Washington for successful outcomes. Following initial talks between Russia and the United States aimed at ending the conflict, Putin highlighted the necessity of patience in organizing a potential summit with President Biden, cautioning against superficial meetings.
Emphasizing the significance of the recent talks in Saudi Arabia, where discussions on appointing negotiation teams for Ukraine and improving strained bilateral relations took place, Putin expressed optimism about the potential to re-engage in key mutual interests like the Middle East, global energy markets, and space cooperation, stressing the critical role of enhancing trust between both nations for addressing various issues, including the Ukrainian crisis.
Despite concerns from Ukraine and European governments about being left out of the Saudi talks, Putin clarified that Russia remained open to negotiations with them, blaming their reluctance to engage with Moscow. Stressing Russia's willingness to engage in dialogue, Putin dismissed the need for undue alarm over U.S.-Russia talks, asserting that Ukraine was still included in the discussions.
Regarding a potential meeting with President Trump, Putin spoke of the need for substantive preparations on vital issues, such as the Ukrainian conflict, to ensure fruitful outcomes that align with both countries' interests, while acknowledging the complexity of achieving such agreements. He noted previous three-way discussions on energy prices involving himself, Trump, and the Saudi King and advocated for continuing such dialogues.