Putin-Trump summit in the works: New talks and possible sanctions

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Monday that there is political will to set up a meeting between Putin and Trump. According to the Polish Press Agency, Peskov noted that no specific steps have been taken toward this meeting so far.

During his election campaign, Donald Trump promised to end Russia's conflict with Ukraine within six months, or even as quickly as 24 hours. Keith Kellogg, the special envoy for the future administration concerning Ukraine and Russia, stated that he would aim to resolve the conflict within 100 days of Trump's inauguration.

Michael Waltz, Trump's national security advisor, revealed in an interview with ABC on Sunday that the President-elect plans to contact Putin soon. This conversation is intended as part of the groundwork for a meeting to address the situation in Ukraine.

As Trump seeks to initiate talks with Russia, he does not rule out implementing new energy sanctions to encourage Putin to negotiate. Security advisor Mike Waltz highlights that lifting restrictions on the use of American weapons might be the leverage needed to bring the Kremlin to the negotiating table.

The Russian economy feels the pressure of Western-imposed sanctions, which significantly hinder its growth. The economic crisis, worsened by a labor shortage and inflation, also puts strain on the Russian elites, who are growing impatient with the ongoing conflict.

Despite calls for negotiations, Trump has yet to define a unified plan. Washington is urging Europe to increase its involvement, which for Trump means engaging in talks with both Kyiv and Moscow. A ceasefire is a priority for his administration, though the outcomes of such actions could have lasting impacts on regional relations and the reputation of the U.S.