No Meeting Planned Between Putin and Trump During Saudi Visit, Kremlin Confirms

The Kremlin has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will not meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. Speculations regarding their meeting have been dismissed, as Putin has no planned travel to the Gulf state. Meanwhile, tensions related to the Ukraine ceasefire continue to rise.

The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin does not intend to visit Saudi Arabia, dismissing rumors of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during Trump’s upcoming visit. Although both leaders have engaged in at least two phone conversations since February, they have not met face-to-face. Meanwhile, officials from both nations have convened talks in the Gulf state.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked, “These are purely the plans of the U.S. head of state, and are in no way related to Putin.” He further stated that there are no specific arrangements or timelines for a potential meeting, emphasizing that, “Putin, so far, has no plans like that.”

In light of these developments, President Trump has expressed a desire for improved relations with Russia and hopes to arrange an in-person meeting with Putin soon. Nevertheless, he has recently voiced frustration regarding Russia’s reluctance to agree to a proposed ceasefire in Ukraine. Last month, U.S. officials engaged in distinct discussions with both Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia, resulting in an agreement to suspend strikes on energy infrastructure.

However, since that time, both nations have accused one another of violating the agreement through targeted attacks on energy facilities.

In summary, the Kremlin has confirmed that President Putin will not meet President Trump in Saudi Arabia, countering speculation about such a meeting. While both leaders have maintained communication through phone calls, their anticipated in-person meeting appears uncertain amidst geopolitical tensions, especially concerning the ceasefire in Ukraine. Furthermore, independent journalism faces significant challenges in Russia, as highlighted by The Moscow Times’ appeal for support to continue their reporting efforts.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com