President Trump Posts Article About Vladimir Putin Being “Ready” for Talks with Trump

Sundance  reporting  for  CTH 

In the larger background of geopolitical conflict, the eyes of the world are concerned about increased military conflict within Ukraine.  Most reasonable people in the ‘west’ are concerned about the potential for escalation, as NATO and the Biden administration push more weapons into Ukraine in advance of their exit from the White House.

The larger group of ordinary observers are hopeful that President Trump can bring the war in Ukraine to a negotiated conclusion.

Yesterday, President Trump used his Truth Social account to share a story about Russian President Vladimir Putin being open and ready for talks with the new administration. Here is the article from December 19th that President Trump posted:

(via CNN) Russian President Vladimir Putin put a positive spin on a spate of recent setbacks Thursday, insisting in a marathon news conference that Russia had accomplished its mission in Syria and was winning the war in Ukraine.

And he nodded to the sea change expected in Washington, saying he had not spoken to US President-elect Donald Trump in over four years, but was “ready” for potential talks with him, amid expectation that the new administration in Washington will push for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.

Thursday’s event – an annual display of Putin’s mastery of the minutiae of domestic policy as well as of geopolitics – consists of a public Q&A session combined with a public phone-in.

Russia’s war on Ukraine was a major topic, with Putin keen to emphasize Russia’s recent gains in grinding war of attrition.

“You asked what we can offer, or what I can offer to the newly elected President Trump when we meet,” Putin said in response to a question from NBC’s Keir Simmons. “First of all, I don’t know when we will meet. Because he hasn’t said anything about it. I haven’t spoken to him at all in over four years. Of course, I am ready for this at any time, and I will be ready for a meeting if he wants it.”

Asked whether Russia would be in a weaker negotiating position because of recent setbacks in the Middle East and on the battlefield in Ukraine, Putin replied, “You said that this conversation will take place in a situation when I am in some weakened state… And you, and those people who pay your salaries in the US, would very much like Russia to be in a weakened position. (read more)

The bottom-line indication from President Putin is that he welcomes the change in geopolitical dynamic that a pragmatic, honest and strong man brings to the table.  Putin respects Trump.  The baseline for a negotiated peace deal exists.