Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that he expects a team of US negotiators to visit Moscow once Washington has reached an agreement with Iran over the Middle East conflict. The statement was made during an interview published by the Kremlin.
Putin's Remarks on US-Russia Talks
“We expect that after all the events are over, after the active phase on the Iranian track has passed, we will see the arrival of those representatives of the US administration with whom we have already met in Moscow repeatedly,” Putin said. He added, “We are ready to continue negotiations and discuss all the details.”
Context of US-Russia Relations
Putin's comments came in response to a question about the state of US-Russia relations following the G7 summit in France. At that summit, US President Donald Trump stated that Russia should “make a deal with Ukraine.” On Wednesday, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was performing well in the war against Russia, despite previously claiming Zelensky lacked the “cards” to win.
Iran as a Key Factor
The Russian leader linked the timing of the US delegation's visit to progress on the Iranian nuclear file, indicating that Moscow is waiting for Washington to resolve its immediate priorities in the Middle East before resuming bilateral talks. The US and Iran have been engaged in negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program, with both sides signaling a potential breakthrough.
According to the Kremlin, Putin's remarks underscore Russia's willingness to engage with the US on various issues, including the conflict in Ukraine. However, the timeline for the visit remains uncertain, pending developments in US-Iran talks.
