Kremlin eyes meeting as Trump seeks swift end to Ukraine conflict

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Monday that there is a political will to arrange a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. According to reports from the Polish Press Agency, Peskov stated that specific steps have not yet been taken.

During his election campaign, Donald Trump promised to bring an end to Russia's war against Ukraine within six months, or even as quickly as 24 hours. Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, declared that he would aim to resolve the conflict within 100 days of Trump's inauguration.

Michael Waltz, Trump's national security advisor, stated on Sunday in an interview with ABC that the President-elect plans to contact Putin soon. This conversation is intended as part of the preparations for a meeting focused on ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump, while seeking to initiate talks with Russia, does not rule out new energy sanctions to compel Putin to negotiate. Security advisor Mike Waltz emphasized that lifting restrictions on the use of American weapons might serve as leverage to encourage the Kremlin to engage in dialogue.

The Russian economy is feeling the impact of Western-imposed sanctions, significantly limiting its growth. The economic crisis, compounded by a labour shortage and inflation, is also affecting the Russian elites, who are displaying impatience with the prolonged conflict.

Despite calls for negotiations, Trump still has not defined a unified plan. Washington desires Europe to increase its involvement, which for Trump means engaging in talks with Kyiv and Moscow. A ceasefire is a priority for his administration, although the consequences of such decisions could affect long-term relations in the region and the reputation of the U.S.