Putin Agrees to Discuss End of War With Trump

In a significant development, Russia has indicated a willingness to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump to improve relations with Ukraine—if the United States takes the first step. Kremlin officials made the announcement this week, fueling hopes for potential peace talks as the war in Ukraine nears its third year.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the possibility during a press briefing in Moscow, emphasizing that Russia remains open to diplomacy but insists that Washington must initiate the process. “The Americans broke the dialogue, so they should make the first move,” Lavrov stated.

A Path to Negotiations?

Lavrov reiterated that Russia is prepared to discuss its ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine—Moscow’s term for its actions in the conflict—but added that U.S. engagement is essential. Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed this sentiment, suggesting Slovakia as a potential location for peace talks, citing an offer from the Slovak prime minister during a recent Kremlin visit.

“If the signals that are coming from the new team in Washington to restore the dialogue that Washington interrupted are serious, of course, we will respond to them,” Lavrov said.

Trump has consistently promised to end the war “on day one” of his presidency. Now, with comments from both Moscow and Kyiv indicating a readiness for dialogue, that bold pledge seems increasingly plausible.

War’s Heavy Toll

The devastating toll of the conflict appears to be pushing both sides toward negotiations. Retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s nominee for Ukraine envoy, told Fox News earlier this month that the prolonged war has left both Russia and Ukraine weary.

“After a thousand days of war, with 350,000 to 400,000 Russian soldiers down, and 150,000 Ukrainian dead, or numbers like that—both sides are saying, ‘okay, maybe this is the time, and we need to step back,’” Kellogg explained.

Russia has suffered staggering losses, with U.S. assessments estimating over 1,200 soldiers killed or injured daily. Meanwhile, Ukraine has faced relentless attacks on its energy infrastructure. A massive Christmas Day assault by Russia saw 70 missiles and 100 drones targeting critical power grids, leaving parts of the country in darkness. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack “inhuman” and accused Putin of deliberate cruelty.

A Role for Trump?

As Kellogg prepares for a fact-finding mission to Ukraine in January, he described Trump’s potential role as a “referee” in any peace talks. “Think of a cage fight. You’ve got two fighters, and both want to tap out. You need a referee to kind of separate them,” he said.

While challenges remain, Lavrov’s remarks and Kellogg’s optimism signal a possible shift in the deadlock. Whether the incoming Trump administration can broker peace remains to be seen, but the groundwork for negotiations appears to be taking shape.