Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump as he was inaugurated and offered to engage with the new president on Ukraine. Washington is Kiev’s primary backer and will have to be involved in the talks to end the Ukraine war. 

“We congratulate the US president-elect on taking office,” Putin said Monday. “We are open to dialogue with the new US administration on the Ukrainian conflict.”

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, arguing that it was necessary to secure Moscow’s national defenses from the threat posed by Washington and NATO. Prior to the invasion, the Kremlin offered to engage with the Joe Biden administration to avert the conflict. 

One of Russia’s core demands was a US pledge that Ukraine would not join NATO, which the Biden administration refused to discuss. Shortly after the invasion, Russia and Ukraine nearly signed a deal brokered by NATO member Turkey, but the US and UK urged Kiev to forego diplomacy, promising an endless supply of weapons and assistance. 

On the campaign trail, Trump vowed he would bring the war in Ukraine to an end on the first day of his administration. Officials from the new Trump administration recently admitted a deal would take at least several months to reach. 

Putin said he wants to negotiate a long-term solution with Trump. “Its goal should not be a short truce, not some kind of respite for regrouping forces and rearmament with the aim of subsequently continuing the conflict, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all nations that live in this region,” the Russian leader said. 

During his inaugural address on Monday, Trump said he wanted his legacy to be that of a peacemaker. However, members of his foreign policy team have indicated that the new administration’s policies may be similar to Biden’s. Some Trump officials have said the US will continue to ship arms to Ukraine and will only offer to delay Kiev’s entrance into NATO.