Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Photo: David Silpa/UPI
An aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov, has said that the Kremlin is waiting for US President-elect Donald Trump to take the initiative to start negotiations. Ushakov stressed that Trump should be the first to call the Russian leader, as is customary in diplomatic practice.
“Usually, the president or head of government who comes to power is the first to make a call,” Ushakov said in an interview with a Russian propagandist.
We are not counting the minutes, but we are waiting for signals
According to Putin’s aide, the Kremlin is “not counting the minutes” until the talks begin, but hopes that “sooner or later, some signals will come from Washington”.
Ushakov said that the Russian authorities are allegedly ready to respond “constructively” to possible proposals from the new US administration, in particular, to end the war with Ukraine.
No contacts so far
At the moment, according to Ushakov, the Trump administration has not contacted the Kremlin to discuss a possible summit meeting. At the same time, Moscow expects that the first contacts may begin in a closed format at the level of the administrations of both countries.
“Only after that will the issue of further development of the dialogue, including a possible conversation between the presidents, be decided,” Ushakov added.
