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Russian President Vladimir Putin is cautiously open to talks with Donald Trump over the Ukraine conflict.

In a nod to the sea change expected in Washington, saying he had not spoken to US President-elect Donald Trump in over four years, but was “ready” for potential talks with him, amid expectation that the new administration in Washington will push for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, reported CNN.

“You asked what we can offer, or what I can offer to the newly elected President Trump when we meet,” Putin said in response to a question from NBC’s Keir Simmons. “First of all, I don’t know when we will meet. Because he hasn’t said anything about it. I haven’t spoken to him at all in over four years. Of course, I am ready for this at any time, and I will be ready for a meeting if he wants it.”

I believe that Russia has become much stronger over the past two or three years. Why? Because we are becoming a truly sovereign country, we are already hardly dependent on anyone.”

Putin said the “situation is changing dramatically,” as the war approaches its third year.

“Movement is going on along the entire front line, every day.”

He continued: “And as I already said, we are not talking about advancing 100-200-300 meters. Our fighters are taking and returning territory in square kilometers. I want to emphasize - every day.”

“I cannot and do not want to name a specific date when they will push [the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the Kursk region],” he said.

“Our guys are fighting, there is a battle going on right now, and serious battles. It is unclear why, there was no military sense in the Ukrainian Armed Forces entering the Kursk region, or holding on there now as they are doing, throwing their best units there to be slaughtered. But nevertheless, it is happening.”

The Kremlin mouthpiece TASS also put out an overview of Putin's comments.

Russia does not rule out engaging in dialogue with Donald Trump’s potential future administration regarding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, but any negotiations must address Moscow’s concerns, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated during a press conference on December 26. "We are always ready for consultations <...>: [we] are open to talks, provided they address the root causes and principles outlined by President Putin in June," Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said.

Lavrov also offered measured criticism of Keith Kellogg, Trump’s nominee for special envoy to Ukraine, particularly for Kellogg’s characterization of the Minsk Accords as a failed "attempt" to settle the conflict.

Kellogg has repeatedly affirmed the US’ intention to address the Ukraine conflict under Trump’s leadership. He co-authored the so-called "plan for Ukraine," which was reportedly presented to Trump in June 2024, according to Reuters. Under this plan, US aid to Kiev would be conditional upon Ukraine’s agreement to enter negotiations. The plan further stipulates that the terms of a ceasefire would be determined based on the military situation at the time of talks.

However, Kellogg’s proposal is not seen as a viable starting point for negotiations, said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Politics magazine. Lukyanov suggested that Trump, Kellogg, and their European allies, such as Hungarian premier Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, think that it is necessary to conclude an armistice first and only then discuss the terms of a peace treaty. As a result, the conflict is likely to continue alongside attempts to reach a truce. "Combat operations persist until a peace treaty is finalized—not until a ceasefire," the expert emphasized.

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