Potential Putin-Trump talks powerful signal of start of peace: Kremlin

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Feb 2025 13:54

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says if regular dialogue existed between Russia and the US, preparations for a presidential meeting would be considerably less demanding.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at Kazan Kremlin in Kazan, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 (Pool Photo via AP)

The telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is a significant step toward initiating dialogue focused on peace rather than war, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he had a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, covering a broad range of topics, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Middle East, energy, and artificial intelligence.

"This is a powerful signal that we will now try to solve problems through dialogue, and will talk about peace, not war," Peskov stated in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.

He noted that if regular dialogue existed between the two nations, preparations for a presidential meeting would be considerably less demanding.

"If we were in the mode of regular dialogue, in the mode of normal interstate relations, it would probably require less preparation," the Russian diplomat said.

Peskov further noted that Trump's remarks indicate his support for a diplomatic approach centered on peace rather than confrontation.

"What happened with the previous [US] administration - no dialogue, war until the end. This was the official position of the previous administration. Judging by President Trump's statements: we solve problems through dialogue, no war, we need peace. This stance, in theory, should appeal more to any sane person or state," the spokesperson explained.

Potential Putin-Trump meeting holds special importance: Peskov

In the same context, Peskov highlighted that a potential first meeting between Putin and Trump is of particular significance under the current geopolitical circumstances.

"Given that we are talking about the first potential meeting between the two heads of state in the current circumstances, it certainly has a special significance," he told Zarubin.

The Kremlin spokesperson also mentioned that Trump could visit Russia at any time, provided that the visit is formally agreed upon.

While Saudi Arabia has been mentioned as a potential location for the meeting due to its constructive cooperation with Russia, Peskov noted a couple of days ago that no decisions have been made yet about the venue at either the working or highest levels.

"Saudi Arabia is a country with which we have very constructive cooperation in various fields. From this point of view, Riyadh is suitable for the two countries, and indeed Riyadh figured [in the call]. But so far, no decisions have been made or recorded either at the working level or at the highest level," he said.