Putin Says Russia-US Talks Offer Hope Amid Western Efforts to Undermine Ties

By A Staff Reporter :

Moscow [Russia], February 27 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that recent diplomatic engagements between Russia and the United States have sparked hope for improved bilateral relations. However, he cautioned that certain Western elites are actively attempting to undermine this progress.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Board, Putin acknowledged initial contacts with the Donald Trump administration, saying they provided a foundation for potential resolution of key disputes, including the Ukraine conflict. "We all see how rapidly the world is changing. In this regard, I would like to note that the first contacts with the new US administration inspire certain hopes," Putin was quoted as saying by Russian state media TASS.

The Russian president emphasized that longstanding systemic and strategic challenges in global governance had contributed to conflicts, including the Ukraine crisis. He alleged that some Western elites remain invested in maintaining instability to prevent meaningful cooperation between Moscow and Washington. "We understand that not everyone welcomes the resumption of Russian-US contacts," he said, urging Russia’s diplomatic and intelligence agencies to counter efforts to derail the emerging dialogue.

Putin also reiterated that Russia has never opposed resolving the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means. His remarks followed a six-hour diplomatic meeting between Russian and US officials in Istanbul, aimed at easing embassy-related disputes. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the talks involved senior diplomats and experts, marking a rare direct engagement between the two nations after months of strained relations.

Under the Biden administration, tensions between Moscow and Washington escalated, with the US shutting down Russian visa centers and expelling diplomats. Moscow retaliated by expelling American diplomats in return. The deterioration of relations continued in late 2023, with further diplomatic expulsions.

Amid these hostilities, Trump and Putin held a phone conversation on February 12, discussing issues such as Ukraine, bilateral relations, and potential prisoner exchanges. While no concrete agreements have been announced, both sides have signaled cautious optimism about restoring dialogue.