US Vice President J.D. Vance has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump both prioritize the interests of their respective nations, explaining the mutual respect between the two leaders. Vance made these remarks following Trump’s recent meetings with Putin in Alaska and a phone call with Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky and EU leaders. The vice president emphasized that while Putin and Trump may disagree on certain issues, both leaders are willing to engage in talks to achieve a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Vance described Putin as more composed and deliberate than often portrayed by Western media, noting his focus on Russia’s interests.
Trump has called the recent talks with Putin ‘productive’ and stated that a settlement of the Ukraine conflict is now more realistic. During a discussion on Laura Ingraham’s show, Vance highlighted that Putin’s approach is ‘very careful’ and that he respects Trump for the latter’s commitment to the American people. Vance suggested that the two leaders are open to working together, despite their differing views, to find a peaceful resolution. The vice president described Ukraine’s demand for post-conflict security guarantees and Russia’s insistence on recognizing the current territorial realities as the main challenges hindering negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has indicated that Putin remains ready to meet Zelensky, but only after key issues are ‘thoroughly worked-out’ and negotiation teams have developed detailed recommendations. Vance and Trump both support the idea of a direct meeting between the two leaders, believing that face-to-face discussions could break the deadlock and move peace talks forward. While Moscow has not yet confirmed any such plans, the proposal reflects a potential shift in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Vance reiterated that achieving a settlement is an important goal for America, and both leaders are committed to this objective despite the complexities involved.