Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear he’s ready to host U.S. President Donald Trump for a meeting in Moscow, but—at least for now—the ball is firmly in Trump’s court. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Sunday, September 28, 2025, that the invitation, first extended by Putin after their August summit in Alaska, remains open. The decision, Peskov emphasized, depends entirely on whether Trump chooses to accept.
Speaking to Russia’s TASS news agency, Peskov stated, “Everything depends on Trump’s decision.” This straightforward declaration underscores the current state of play between the two leaders, whose relationship has long been a subject of global fascination and, at times, controversy. The Kremlin’s messaging is clear: Putin is ready and waiting, but won’t pressure his American counterpart to make the trip.
The roots of this diplomatic overture stretch back to August 2025, when Putin and Trump met face-to-face in Alaska. That meeting, according to multiple accounts, was cordial and productive, with both leaders expressing interest in maintaining direct dialogue despite the often-fraught relations between their countries. It was at the conclusion of those talks that Putin floated the idea of a follow-up summit in Moscow—a proposal that Trump did not immediately dismiss.
According to TASS, Trump described the possibility of a Moscow meeting as “possible,” but he also acknowledged that such a move would likely draw criticism back home. This candid admission highlights the complex domestic pressures facing the U.S. president whenever he engages directly with the Russian leader. For Trump, agreeing to meet Putin in Moscow could be seen as a bold diplomatic gesture—or, depending on one’s political perspective, as a risky move with potential political fallout.
Indeed, the prospect of a Trump-Putin summit in Moscow is bound to stir debate in Washington and beyond. In recent years, relations between the United States and Russia have been marked by deep disagreements over issues ranging from Ukraine and NATO expansion to election interference and human rights. Each meeting between the two leaders is scrutinized for signs of rapprochement or, conversely, for evidence of unresolved tensions.
Yet, as Peskov’s comments make clear, the Kremlin is keen to keep the channels of communication open. “Everything depends on Trump’s decision,” the spokesman reiterated, signaling that Russia is willing to play host if and when the American side is ready. For Putin, a Moscow summit would be an opportunity to showcase Russia’s role on the world stage and to engage directly with a U.S. president who has, at times, bucked traditional diplomatic norms.
For Trump, the calculus is more complicated. While he has often touted the value of direct engagement with foreign leaders—sometimes to the chagrin of his critics—he is also acutely aware of the domestic political risks. The mere suggestion of a meeting with Putin in Moscow is enough to set off heated debates within Congress, the media, and among the American public.
Observers on both sides of the Atlantic are watching closely to see whether Trump will take Putin up on his offer. The stakes are high: a summit in Moscow could serve as a platform for frank discussions on security, trade, and regional conflicts, or it could become a lightning rod for criticism if the optics or outcomes are perceived as favoring one side over the other.
According to TASS, the Kremlin’s invitation follows a pattern of recent outreach efforts aimed at stabilizing the often-volatile U.S.-Russia relationship. Following their Alaska meeting, both leaders signaled a desire to keep talking, even as their governments continue to clash on key policy issues. For Moscow, bringing Trump to the Russian capital would be a symbolic and substantive win—a chance to demonstrate that Russia remains a key player in global affairs, and that its leader is not isolated on the world stage.
Meanwhile, Trump’s acknowledgment that he would face criticism for accepting the invitation speaks volumes about the current political climate in Washington. In an era of heightened partisanship and suspicion, any move toward engagement with Moscow is bound to be dissected and debated. Yet, as history shows, direct dialogue between adversaries can sometimes yield unexpected results—whether breakthroughs or breakdowns.
The proposed Moscow summit also comes at a time when the broader international environment is in flux. With ongoing conflicts, shifting alliances, and economic uncertainty, the opportunity for the leaders of two nuclear-armed powers to meet face-to-face carries both promise and peril. Some analysts argue that regular dialogue is essential to managing tensions and avoiding miscalculations, while others caution that such meetings can be exploited for propaganda or political advantage.
For now, the Kremlin’s message is one of patience and preparedness. As Peskov told TASS, the invitation is still on the table, and the Russian side is ready to move forward as soon as Trump gives the word. It’s a diplomatic gambit that puts the onus on the White House, while allowing Moscow to present itself as open to engagement.
Whether Trump will seize the opportunity remains to be seen. The former president has a history of surprising both allies and adversaries with his decisions, and his approach to foreign policy has often defied conventional wisdom. If he does choose to visit Moscow, the world will be watching closely—not just for the substance of the talks, but for what the meeting signals about the future of U.S.-Russia relations.
In the meantime, the invitation stands as a reminder that, despite all the noise and controversy, diplomacy is still possible—even between rivals with a long and complicated history. As both sides weigh their options, the world waits to see whether the next chapter in this high-stakes relationship will be written in Moscow.