Kremlin Downplays Delay in Putin-Trump Meeting, Blames Biden-Era Breakdown in US-Russia Ties
Moscow, August 6 (TheTrendingPeople.com) – As six and a half months pass without a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, the Kremlin has stated that it is not surprised by the prolonged diplomatic silence. Citing the “unprecedented deterioration” in bilateral ties during the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that restoring meaningful dialogue will take time.
Speaking to the media in Moscow, Peskov remarked that the delay in scheduling a Russia-US summit is not a unique case but a consequence of accumulated mistrust and tension inherited from the Biden years.
“It is unlikely that one can speak about a unique situation. After all, under the previous (US) administration, our bilateral relations experienced an unprecedented deterioration,” said Peskov, referring to the Biden presidency.
Six Months, No Summit: A First in Modern History
According to a recent Russian assessment reported by state-run news agency TASS, this marks the first time in modern Russian history that no US-Russia summit has taken place within six months of a new US president taking office. Traditionally, US presidents have engaged with their Russian counterparts within one to five months of taking office.
President Donald Trump, who began his second non-consecutive term on January 20, has yet to meet with President Putin in person. This 182-day gap surpasses all historical precedents, raising concerns in diplomatic circles about the state of strategic dialogue between the two nuclear powers.
Legacy of “Irritants” Under Biden
Peskov emphasized that the lack of engagement stems from the volume of unresolved conflicts and diplomatic challenges that accumulated under Biden’s foreign policy agenda.
“Under Biden, Moscow and Washington accumulated an unprecedented number of irritants,” he said, referring to issues such as:
- NATO expansion near Russian borders
- Sanctions related to the Ukraine war
- Cybersecurity disputes
- Diplomatic expulsions and embassy staff limits
- Energy trade restrictions
While Trump's new administration has not yet reversed any of these policies, officials have hinted at a reassessment of sanctions and strategic alignments—raising hopes, but not certainty, for a thaw.
🇷🇺🇺🇸 US Envoy in Moscow Ahead of Possible Sanctions Deadline
In a potential step forward, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy, arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for high-level meetings with Russian counterparts. The visit is viewed as a last-ditch effort to address key points of contention, particularly the Ukraine crisis and impending U.S. sanctions, which Trump warned could be imposed by August 9 if no resolution is reached.
Key Points of Witkoff’s Moscow Visit:
- To discuss U.S. sanctions and Russia’s role in Ukraine
- To assess the feasibility of restarting arms control talks
- To explore a framework for potential Trump-Putin summit planning
- To revive stalled communication channels frozen during the Biden presidency
Though no official schedule for a summit has been announced, sources close to the Kremlin suggest that Witkoff's visit may lay groundwork for a late-September bilateral—possibly in Geneva or Istanbul, both historically neutral grounds for diplomacy.
Sanctions Loom: August 9 Deadline
During a press briefing on Tuesday, President Trump confirmed that sanctions on Russia would go into effect by August 9 if “constructive progress” on Ukraine is not observed. While he did not provide specific benchmarks, Trump stated:
“We have made our position clear. There is a window for diplomacy, but we will not wait indefinitely.”
Analysts say this puts pressure not only on Moscow but also on Washington’s internal factions that remain skeptical of Trump’s Russia policy shift.
Why This Delay Matters: Geopolitical Implications
The lack of a Trump-Putin summit amid escalating global tensions is being watched closely by allies and adversaries alike.
Possible Consequences:
- Extended policy vacuum in arms control negotiations
- NATO unease as Russia's military actions remain unchecked
- China-Russia closeness deepening in absence of US-Russia talks
- Rising volatility in oil and gas markets, especially with fresh trade tariffs in play
- Greater likelihood of miscommunication in crisis scenarios
Experts note that without a reset in strategic dialogue, chances for de-escalation on multiple fronts—Ukraine, cybersecurity, energy, and Arctic militarization—will remain slim.
What Analysts Are Saying
Dr. Alexander Baunov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said:
“The delay signals not just a logistical hurdle but a deeper breakdown in political trust. Trump may want dialogue, but the conditions inherited from Biden leave little room for optimism without real concessions.”
Rachel Maddox, geopolitical risk consultant at StratIndex Global, added:
“Trump’s balancing act between appearing tough on sanctions and restarting diplomacy with Moscow is risky. Without a summit, ambiguity will define the relationship.”
Takeaway for Readers
While Trump’s return to the White House has reset the political chessboard, the road to a Putin-Trump summit appears blocked by unresolved legacies and rising global risks. The presence of Steve Witkoff in Moscow offers a glimmer of hope—but as the August 9 sanctions deadline looms, the clock is ticking.
For now, Moscow seems ready to wait, hoping the American side makes the first meaningful diplomatic move.
Stay with TheTrendingPeople.com for all developments on Putin-Trump diplomacy, US-Russia sanctions, and global security updates.