The Kremlin said Trump’s latest statements about Ukraine, such as Russia will win and Kiev must cede territory, are in line with Moscow’s view.
“The issues of NATO membership, territory, and the fact that Ukraine is losing land are all consistent with our views,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today, referring to US President Donald Trump’s statements regarding the war in Ukraine in a previous interview with Politico.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in Moscow on November 18. Image: Reuters
In an interview published on December 9, Mr. Trump had harsh words against Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky. “I think this is an important time for Ukraine to hold elections, they are taking advantage of the war not to do so, that is not democratic,” he said.
Ukraine’s presidential election was supposed to take place in March 2024, but was postponed indefinitely because the country was under martial law because of the war with Russia. The US’s 28-point proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict requires Kiev to hold elections.
President Trump also told Politico that Russia has an advantage in negotiations thanks to its large area and population, and affirmed that Ukraine will never join NATO. He also repeated the accusation that Mr. Zelensky had not read the peace proposal proposed by the United States.
According to the head of the White House, it is very difficult to reach an agreement to end hostilities and “one of the reasons is the level of hatred between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mr. Zelensky is very large.”
Spokesman Peskov said that the US President’s comments in this interview were “very important”.
Responding to Mr. Trump’s criticism, President Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine is ready to hold elections if security is guaranteed. He said he would send Ukraine’s response to the US peace proposal on December 10.
Referring to President Zelensky raising the possibility of holding elections, Mr. Peskov said “let’s just wait and see how things develop.” Russia has long argued that Mr. Zelensky is not the legitimate president of Ukraine, because his term expired in March 2024.
Regarding Mr. Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine is ready to establish a ceasefire in the energy sector, the Kremlin spokesman said Russia wants to work towards peace, not a ceasefire. “Our absolute priority is sustainable, lasting and stable peace, achieved through the signing of relevant documents,” Mr. Peskov said.