The Russian Federation hopes to restart relations with the USA on its own terms - ISW

Putin has hinted that Moscow will consider restarting relations between the states only if sanctions against Russia are lifted and support for Ukraine ends.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin assumes that US President-elect Donald Trump will listen to the interests and preferences of the Kremlin without offering any concessions or benefits in return. This is reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

It is noted that during his speech at the Valdai Forum on November 7, Putin declared openness to discussions aimed at "restoring" Russian-American relations. According to him, the United States should initiate these negotiations.

Putin has hinted that Moscow will consider resetting relations between the states only on the condition that sanctions against Russia are lifted and aid to Ukraine ends — conditions that benefit only Russia and offer no benefit to the United States.

Kremlin spokesman Dmytro Peskov said that Putin's statement about negotiations with the United States does not mean a change in Russia's military goals in Ukraine. On the contrary, Moscow's goals remain unchanged.

According to ISW analysts, “Putin may be trying to position himself as one who appeals to Trump. However, he is signaling to his domestic audience that the Kremlin is unwilling to compromise any aspect of its maximalist goals in Ukraine or on the wider world stage."

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