The Russian leader is interviewed on state TV, where he brings up the contacts between Moscow and Washington DC and opens up for direct talks with Trump.
If the question concerns negotiations, we have always said – and I want to emphasize this again – that we are ready for negotiations on the Ukrainian issue.
Kyiv reacted immediately to the move from Moscow and demanded that representatives from European countries must be included in any talks between Putin and Trump on Ukraine.
Manipulating Trump
Late on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj also commented on Putin's move.
He (Putin) wants to manipulate the US President's will to achieve peace, said Zelenskyj in an evening speech broadcast on social media.
I am convinced that Russian manipulation no longer works, continued Zelenskyj.
Putin also commented on Donald Trump's personality and said that Trump was "pragmatic" and "smart".
In the interview, the Russian leader claimed that the "Ukraine crisis" might not have occurred if Trump were president.
Lower Oil Prices
Putin also said that lower oil prices would be bad for both the US and Russia. Trump said in an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday that lower oil prices would mean an end to the Russian invasion war in Ukraine.
I find it hard to imagine that a decision (on oil prices) will be made if it is harmful to the US economy, said Putin.
