Resolution criteria

• Resolve YES if, between market open and 23:59 Moscow Time (UTC+3) on September 20, 2025, Vladimir Putin publicly issues a new statement that explicitly refers to the United States or “U.S.–Russia/Russia–U.S. relations” (e.g., on diplomacy, sanctions, security, trade, travel/visas, flights, arms control, prisoner swaps) and is attributable to him. Qualifying evidence must be one of:

  • A transcript/press release on the official Kremlin website attributed to Putin; or

  • An official Kremlin video/televised appearance carrying his remarks; or

  • Independent coverage quoting him published within the window by at least one of: Reuters or TASS. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Mentions of “the West” or “NATO” without explicitly naming the United States do not count. Remarks by other officials (e.g., Peskov, Lavrov) do not count.

• Resolve NO if no such qualifying statement is published by the deadline.

Where to check:

• Official Kremlin: en.kremlin.ru (President → Events/News) — this is the presidency’s official site. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Reuters Russia/Putin coverage; TASS “Russia–US relations” topic. (reuters.com)

Background

• Russia–U.S. relations are described by Russian officials as near “zero,” with risk‑reduction and limited contacts ongoing. (tass.com)

• Diplomatic feelers for further talks have been reported in September 2025, increasing the chance of on‑record comments by Putin about the bilateral relationship. (reuters.com)

• Putin often makes newsy foreign‑policy remarks at major forums; the 10th Eastern Economic Forum ran September 3–6, 2025 in Vladivostok. (tass.com)

Considerations

• Time zone is Moscow Time; publication timestamps on wire stories may appear in UTC—use the document’s stated local time where available.

• Off‑the‑cuff remarks qualify only if carried by an official Kremlin transcript/video or by Reuters/TASS with a clear on‑the‑record quote dated within the window.

• Trivial or indirect references (e.g., to “American companies” without bilateral context) do not qualify; the content must clearly concern the U.S.–Russia relationship.