During his speech at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that he is ready for an equal dialogue with the United States; the ball is in the American court, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, commenting on the possibility of a telephone conversation between Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump.
"We heard Trump's statement during the election campaign that he intends to call Putin even before the inauguration. This was said; this was heard. Let's see, you saw that the president once again confirmed that he is open to dialogue, to an equal dialogue, to a mutually respectful dialogue, and also once again said that the ball is in the American court," Peskov said.
Theoretically, Vladimir Putin could call US President-elect Donald Trump, but we need to see how things develop further, the spokesman noted.
"Of course, we will just see how things develop further," Peskov told reporters in response to a relevant question.
Earlier, Putin said Russia has nothing against resuming contacts with Trump and does not consider it shameful to call him.
A presidential election took place in the United States on November 5. Republican candidate Donald Trump, who served as the US president from 2017-2021, was declared the winner by all leading race callers and networks as he secured enough votes in the Electoral College to win the election. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris conceded defeat in an address to her supporters, and US President Joe Biden congratulated Trump.
The Electoral College, the group of presidential electors from the states, will vote for the candidate whom each state's voters have chosen on December 17, and the results will be approved by Congress on January 6. The presidential inauguration will take place on January 20.
Trump became the first US president since the 19th century to be elected to nonconsecutive terms.