Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his conviction that Donald Trump's return to the White House has opened up a favorable outlook for the future of bilateral relations, although he has emphasized that "European partners" are a factor to consider when normalizing dialogue.
"With the arrival of President Trump, I believe that the light at the end of the tunnel has finally begun to appear," the Russian president declared at a meeting with nuclear industry workers a week after the two sides' bilateral summit in Alaska.
Putin, in statements reported by the Interfax news agency, described the meeting—as he did last Saturday—as a "significant and frank" one. Regarding possible progress toward an agreement with Ukraine, the Russian president simply stated that "contacts continue at the level of our ministries, departments, and organizations."
In general terms, Putin expressed his hope that the summit would be a prelude to new rapprochements. "I sincerely hope that the first steps taken are only the beginning of a full restoration of our relations," the Russian president explained.
Putin, however, indicated that the situation also depends on "our Western partners in the broadest sense of the word, since the United States also has certain obligations within the framework of various partnerships, including the North Atlantic bloc," referring to NATO.
"The next steps depend on the leadership of the United States," Putin said, before applauding the leadership qualities of current President Trump: "a good guarantee that our relations will be restored, and I hope that our joint work will continue on that basis."
