**Putin Congratulates Trump, Offers Dialogue**
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his upcoming inauguration. During a Russian Security Council meeting on January 20, Putin expressed readiness for dialogue with the incoming Trump administration.
**Talks May Focus on Ukraine Conflict**
Putin emphasized his openness to engaging with the new US administration on the Ukrainian conflict. He said that eliminating the root causes of the crisis is key. This comes as reports have emerged of peace proposals being rejected by Russia. Putin previously stated that his country would begin peace negotiations if Kyiv agreed to withdraw from four Ukrainian regions.
**Trump and Putin May Meet Soon**
Trump has signaled his intent to meet Putin shortly after taking office. The Kremlin welcomed this, but noted that no preparations for the meeting are currently underway. Trump’s team is reportedly working on arranging a call with Putin to initiate a settlement plan for the war in Ukraine within the first months of his presidency.
**Ending the War in Ukraine**
During his campaign, Trump pledged to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. However, his choice for Ukraine peace envoy has since adjusted this timeline to 100 days. The goal is still to find a solution to the conflict, which has been ongoing for years.
