Numerous topics await discussion between the two leaders, according to the Russian president.
In his annual end-of-year press conference on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed a four-year communication lapse with US President-elect Donald Trump, anticipating a substantial agenda for their next conversation.
Responding to NBC News’ Keir Simmons, who questioned the potential dynamics of a future meeting—suggesting Russia’s weakened global standing and Trump’s advantageous position—Putin stated, “I don’t know when we will meet because he has not said anything about it. I have not talked to him for more than four years. Of course, I’m ready to talk anytime; I will be ready to meet with him if he wishes.”
Dismissing the notion of a weakened Russia, Putin countered that the journalist and his employers “really want to see Russia in a weakened state,” but, as he put it, echoing a famous writer, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
“I believe that Russia has become significantly stronger in the past two or three years. Why? Because we are becoming a truly sovereign country, and we barely depend on anybody. We are capable of firmly standing on our own feet when it comes to the economy,” Putin asserted.
The president emphasized Russia’s economic resilience and highlighted the world-class combat readiness of its armed forces, coupled with a rapidly expanding defense industry producing crucial military equipment.
“That is why I believe that Russia has largely achieved the state we wanted to achieve. It has grown stronger and become a truly sovereign state, and we will make decisions without regard to other people’s opinions, only with our national interests in mind,” he concluded.
During a Monday press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump avoided confirming communication with Putin since the election but indicated future contact.
“We’ll be talking to President Putin, and we’ll be talking to representatives Zelensky and others from Ukraine,” he said. “We’ve got to stop it. It’s carnage,” referring to the nearly three-year Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Trump previously claimed he could resolve the Ukraine conflict within “24 hours” upon assuming office through “peace through strength,” without detailing his approach. Putin previously described Trump’s remarks on ending the conflict as “deserving attention” and expressed readiness for discussions with the president-elect.
“Should there be an opportunity for a meeting with the newly elected President Donald Trump, I am confident there will be plenty to discuss,” Putin reiterated on Thursday.