Putin puts on a show: Ready to discuss with Trump "at any time"
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said Thursday he was ready to talk "at any time" with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has said he could reach a peace deal with Ukraine within hours of taking office.
Mr. Trump, who will return to the White House in January, has stoked fears in Kiev that he could force Ukraine to accept peace on terms favorable to Moscow.
At his annual news conference Thursday, Mr. Putin said Russian troops had the upper hand on the battlefield, but he was forced to admit he didn't know when Russia would be able to drive Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region in the southwest of the country.
Asked about Mr. Trump's overtures about a possible peace deal, Mr. Putin said he would be happy to meet with the new president.
"I don't know when I will see him. He doesn't say anything about it. I haven't spoken to him for over four years. I am ready to do it, of course. At any time," the Kremlin leader said.
"If we ever meet President-elect Trump, I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about," he added, adding that Russia was ready for "negotiations and compromises".
(MH with AmBar/Source: Agency/Photo: DPA/Anadolu/Sefa Karacan)