Moscow, Russia. The Kremlin on Monday dismissed a Financial Times report suggesting the Ukraine peace process was fading as U.S. President Donald Trump shifted his attention to Iran. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s recent remarks indicate he remains engaged.
Kremlin response to media report
Peskov said Russia had taken note of the media reports but had reached a different conclusion about Trump’s attitude toward Ukraine peace talks. He told reporters that Trump’s frequent references to Ukraine in recent statements suggested the opposite of waning interest.
Peskov cites Trump’s comments on Zelenskiy
Peskov said that, judging by his statements, Trump had not lost interest and was strongly urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to strike a deal.
Trump’s recent public remarks
Earlier this month, Trump told Politico he was frustrated with Zelenskiy, saying the Ukrainian president “has to get on the ball, and he has to get a deal done.” Trump also rejected Zelenskiy’s offer to help the United States with downing drones over the Gulf states, telling NBC’s Meet the Press that the “last person we need help from is Zelenskiy.”
Status of negotiations
Peskov said Russia remained interested in continuing talks to end the war, but that the venue and date for the next round of negotiations were unclear.
What do you expect will determine the timing and venue of the next round of negotiations?