By the end of the BRICS summit, Putin has welcomed Trump over discussions that seek to end the war in Ukraine.
On Thursday, 24th October at the BRICS summit, Russian president acknowledged the “sincere” comments by Donald Trump, the Republican candidate.
He said while addressing the reporters that Trump “spoke about his desire to do everything to end the conflict in Ukraine. I think he is being sincere. Of course we welcome statements like this, whoever they come from”.
This statement by Putin is a pivotal moment that showcases the willingness of the Russian president to resolve the ongoing war since the invasion of Russia in Ukraine in February 2022.
However, the president said in June that the possibility of ending the war would only occur if Kyiv decided to drop the NATO ambitions and give away the whole four provinces which Moscow claimed. These demands were rejected by Kyiv.
Putin did not talk about Trump’s statements to end the war for the first time
Trump has been vocal about swiftly ending the Ukraine war if he wins the White House elections on November 5.
Putin has commented on these statements before as well at the news conference in Kazakhstan which happened at the end of a regional security conference.
He claimed that he takes Trump’s statement to end war seriously. However, he does not know how Trump plans to do so or what his proposal would be, which is the key question. Putin had mentioned Trump’s statement “sincere” back then as well.
Trump has made several attempts at peace talks for Russia – Ukraine war
In April 2024 Washington Post reported that Trump had a private discussion about letting Putin keep Crimea which was invaded as part of Moscow in 2014. He also said the same about the Donbas area which is partially in control of Russia. The purpose of this negotiation would be peace in return.
Furthermore, Trump also denied US military weapons to Kyiv in June 2024 until peace talks were initiated from Ukraine’s side.
According to Putin constructive discussion between Moscow and Washington can only be possible after the heated US presidential elections. Therefore Moscow is waiting on the results to see what the new administration offers.
As US elections are near, Putin’s welcoming statement could be a hint towards the anticipated discussion, that too if Trump wins.
