Moscow — As geopolitical tensions in Europe remain unresolved and the US presidential campaign intensifies, the Kremlin has signaled a growing readiness to engage in substantive dialogue with Washington, if the conditions are right. Moscow, for its part, is now openly voicing support for a high-level summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, suggesting that such a meeting could serve as a platform for “major agreements” if adequately prepared.
The call for a possible summit was made clear on Saturday when Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that a Putin-Trump meeting “will surely happen in time,” though he emphasized that groundwork must be laid before any formal announcement. The statement comes amid increased speculation that backchannel negotiations may already be underway, particularly as both sides attempt to reset the narrative on the grinding war in Ukraine.
For Moscow, the meeting would be more than symbolic. It is being framed as a turning point where “serious agreements” could be finalized, reflecting a calculated effort by the Kremlin to project diplomatic confidence while Washington appears increasingly divided over its Ukraine commitments. The Kremlin’s messaging reflects a dual approach, engaging the West when beneficial, while also framing Western indecision as strategic weakness.
Interestingly, Peskov’s remarks followed Trump’s most recent statement claiming he “will do everything possible” to secure peace in Ukraine, despite the ongoing US military aid pipeline to Kyiv. Moscow has seized on the contradiction, arguing that Washington’s actions continue to contradict its professed goals. Russian officials say the fresh batch of American Patriot systems and long-range munitions only prolongs the war, destabilizes the region, and undermines genuine diplomatic channels.
The Kremlin’s growing assertiveness is not only reactive to the Biden administration’s posture but also a deliberate attempt to preemptively shape Trump’s possible second term agenda. Peskov pointed out that Washington’s position on Ukraine is becoming “more complex,” hinting at internal debates within US policymaking circles that Moscow believes could widen with time. The Kremlin is banking on these rifts to reposition itself in any future diplomatic negotiations.
What remains unclear is whether this overture from Moscow is grounded in realism or simply a tactical ploy to stall Western military commitments. While the US continues to fund and arm Ukraine, Russia’s overtures of diplomacy come attached with expectations, namely, the West’s recognition of its territorial gains and a halt to NATO expansionism.
Still, as both Trump and Putin eye strategic gains ahead of pivotal global summits and political transitions, the idea of direct dialogue, long absent from the diplomatic agenda, has resurfaced with renewed gravity. Should both leaders agree to meet, the outcome may very well chart the course of the war’s next phase, or its potential conclusion.
According to RIA Novosti, Peskov emphasized that while the time and place for such a summit remain undetermined, the Kremlin considers it not only possible but increasingly necessary, especially as the Biden administration struggles to consolidate its Ukraine strategy ahead of the 2025 elections.
