On Monday, Russian officials denied a report suggesting a phone call between President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump on the Ukraine conflict, indicating skepticism about the West’s readiness for negotiations. This report, initially published by The Washington Post, claimed that Trump had advised Putin against escalating the situation in Ukraine.
Trump’s recent election victory could significantly impact U.S. policies on the nearly three-year-old conflict in Ukraine, especially considering Washington’s extensive financial support for Kyiv’s defense. The speculation surrounding Trump’s stance has raised questions about how the conflict might shift under his leadership.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov promptly dismissed the report of a Trump-Putin call as “false,” clarifying to journalists that no such conversation took place. Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, also declined to confirm the report, stating, “We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders.”
A Ukrainian official additionally commented that Kyiv had not been made aware of any such contact between Trump and Putin.
During his campaign, Trump indicated his willingness to engage with Putin and suggested that he might resolve the Ukraine crisis within hours, but he has yet to reveal any specific plan or terms for achieving peace in the region. On Sunday, he did speak with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the two reportedly agreed to pursue peace efforts in Europe, according to Scholz’s office.
Despite this interaction, Peskov noted, “there are no preparations” for discussions between Putin and Scholz and implied that Europe’s stance on Ukraine remains unchanged. He described “nervousness” among European leaders following Trump’s election, as many still aim for a strategic outcome in Ukraine that would not favor Russia.
While Putin has reiterated openness to negotiations, Peskov emphasized that Moscow has received no direct indication from the West toward such a move. He added, “European leaders are continuing… to try to achieve a strategic defeat of Russia,” while Russia remains committed to its objectives in the conflict.
In Ukraine, the fighting has intensified as Russian forces gain ground in the eastern Donetsk region. Russian officials like Sergei Shoigu, a senior security figure, argue that Western countries must choose between continued support for Kyiv and seeking a negotiated settlement.
On Monday, as air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine, Russian strikes reportedly killed at least six people, following an increase in drone activity from both sides. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been urging the U.S. and Europe for permission to strike deeper within Russian borders.
The Kremlin acknowledged that Trump’s victory has brought “positive signals” due to his discussions about peace. However, it remains to be seen whether these sentiments will evolve into tangible diplomatic actions.
