In a recent interview, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed President Vladimir Putin's preference for a U.S. president who holds a more constructive approach towards Russia and understands the importance of dialogue between the two nations. While Peskov did not mention former President Donald Trump by name, he stated that Putin would be willing to work with anyone who recognizes the need for greater caution and consideration of Russia's concerns.

During his time in office, Trump was known for his positive views on Putin's leadership style, leading to accusations of cosying up to the Russian leader. However, Peskov questioned Trump's claim to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, calling it too complicated to resolve so swiftly.

Peskov also criticized the United States and the West for prolonging the war in Ukraine by providing conflicting messages and inadequate support to Kyiv. He alleged that the billions of dollars in military and financial aid provided by Washington had not achieved significant progress on the battlefield, blaming the West for making the conflict longer.

Furthermore, Peskov highlighted the declining safety of the world since the breakdown in dialogue between the United States and Russia due to the Ukrainian invasion. Russian authorities have criminalized criticism of the armed forces, with hundreds of individuals arrested or jailed for doing so.

Despite the recent EU decision to initiate accession talks with Ukraine, Peskov emphasized that Ukraine can never match Russia's military and economic potential, making resistance futile. He also noted the conflicting signals from the United States to Ukraine's leadership, further exacerbating the situation.

These comments from Peskov come shortly after President Putin's press conference, where he conveyed confidence in Russia's campaign in Ukraine and declared his intention to run for a fifth term. Meanwhile, Putin's main opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, has gone missing in Russia's prison system, with concerns about his well-being raised by his lawyers.

The Kremlin reiterated that it does not monitor inmates' whereabouts and dismissed Navalny as not widely known or respected in Russia. Navalny is currently serving a lengthy sentence on charges of fraud and extremism, which he vehemently denies and claims were fabricated to silence him politically.

The upcoming U.S. elections bring uncertainty regarding the future of U.S.-Russia relations, with Putin eager for a leader who will approach the relationship more constructively and consider Russia's concerns. However, with conflicting signals and a prolonged conflict in Ukraine, the path forward remains uncertain.