Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cites “inertia” in stalled diplomatic ties amid absence of Putin-Trump talks.

 Improving diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States will be a slow and gradual process, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in an interview published Wednesday by Russia’s TASS state news agency.

“There is, of course, inertia in this process,” Peskov stated, acknowledging the prolonged diplomatic chill and the lack of high-level meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is currently campaigning in the 2024 U.S. elections.

While Peskov did not indicate any concrete steps being taken toward improving ties, he noted that both sides remain cautious, especially given the geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine, NATO expansion, and economic sanctions.

“The restoration of dialogue requires mutual effort and political will,” Peskov said, emphasizing that normalized relations are not currently on the immediate horizon.

Background:
Tensions between Moscow and Washington have remained high since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to a wave of Western sanctions and a breakdown in most direct diplomatic communication. Occasional contact has occurred on critical issues such as arms control and prisoner exchanges, but broader cooperation has stalled.

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Russia has closely monitored developments, with officials suggesting any shift in policy will depend heavily on future leadership in Washington.