A potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump could take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Oleg Karpovich, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Karpovich shared this insight during an interview with TASS, suggesting that the UAE’s strong track record in hosting diplomatic summits positions it as a suitable venue for the high-stakes talks.
Karpovich pointed out that Trump, during his election campaign, had expressed a desire to contribute to resolving the ongoing Ukraine crisis. With the political landscape evolving, the time has come, he argued, for Trump to fulfill those promises and address the mounting tensions between Russia and the United States. According to Karpovich, Trump has come to recognize that the policies pursued by the outgoing US President Joe Biden have led to a severe deterioration in US-Russia relations. This, he said, has escalated tensions to a point where the situation now seems far more volatile than past crises, including the Caribbean missile crisis.
The Russian expert further highlighted that, while Switzerland has historically been considered a neutral venue for such meetings, its decision to join sanctions against Russia has compromised its reputation as an impartial host. “Switzerland has ceased to be a neutral country,” Karpovich remarked, suggesting that the Middle East, with its diplomatic flexibility, is a more viable alternative. In this context, the UAE emerges as a likely candidate, given its consistent role in facilitating international discussions.
In his remarks, Karpovich referred to Putin’s December Direct Line Q&A session, where the Russian president expressed openness to meeting Trump if the opportunity arose. Putin emphasized that such talks would address a broad range of issues, particularly the Ukraine crisis, with Russia’s stance being shaped by the evolving situation on the ground, where Russian troops continue to advance.
As global tensions escalate, the UAE’s proven diplomatic platform could provide a neutral space for both leaders to engage, potentially paving the way for meaningful dialogue on pressing international issues.
