Russian President Vladimir Putin said relations with the United States have begun to stabilise since Donald Trump returned to the White House, crediting the U.S. leader for the improvement. Speaking during a visit to Belarus on 27 June, Putin added that he holds Trump in high regard and is ready to meet him once appropriate preparations are made. Presidential foreign-policy aide Yuri Ushakov later told reporters that a summit has not yet moved into a practical planning phase but could be arranged “at any moment.” He noted that both sides remain in contact on bilateral irritants and suggested a suitable occasion could be found if progress continues. The comments mark the most upbeat assessment of bilateral ties from Moscow since Washington imposed sweeping sanctions over Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While no date or venue was discussed, the prospect of a face-to-face meeting signals a potential thaw as the two countries weigh next steps on longstanding disputes.