Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club on Thursday that his country aims for a “full-scale restoration” of relations with the United States.
“Russia reserves the right to be guided by our national interests, one of which, by the way, is the restoration of full-scale relations with the United States,”
Putin added. “No matter the differences, if we treat each other with respect, then even the most firm, persistent bargaining will still pursue the goal of achieving something beneficial.” He added that contradictions between Russia and the United States are “normal” and “natural,” while noting that Russia is ready to work together with other countries.
NN: Putin is stalling for time… see next story
Putin agrees Trump could have prevented Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he agrees with his United States countrepart Donald Trump’s claims that the Ukraine war could have been avoided with him at the White House. The conflict “could have been avoided had the work been built differently with the US administration back in the day,” Putin stated at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi. He blamed NATO and the European Union for the “absence of peace in Ukraine,” accusing them of turning Kiev into “a destructive weapon in someone else’s arms.” The Russian president also blamed the collective West for the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian people, as well as for the sensitive situation in the entire Middle East region.