Kremlin denies Trump-Putin phone call about Ukraine conflict
This combination of pictures shows Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) looks on during a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 4, 2024, and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) decorates Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called during a ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 9, 2024. (AFP Photo)
The Kremlin on Monday dismissed a U.S. media report claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone about the Ukraine conflict last week.
The call, first reported by the Washington Post on Sunday that Trump had advised Putin against escalating the war, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the report “completely false.”
Media report suggests Trump warned Putin on Ukraine escalation
The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources familiar with the call, reported that Trump spoke with Putin from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. During the call, Trump allegedly urged Putin not to escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reminding the Russian leader of the U.S. military’s significant presence in Europe.
However, the call was not officially confirmed by Trump’s communications team, with spokesperson Steven Cheung declining to comment on private conversations.
Kremlin denies phone call took place
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov firmly denied the report, telling journalists that no such phone call between Putin and Trump took place. “This is completely false information,” Peskov stated, countering claims made by U.S. media outlets.
Despite the denial, the report has raised questions about Trump’s approach to the Ukraine conflict following his recent election victory.
Trump’s call with Zelenskyy and Europe’s concerns
According to The Washington Post, Trump also held a separate phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday. Sources indicate that the conversation left Zelenskyy somewhat reassured, despite Trump’s previous criticism of U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
European allies remain concerned about what Trump’s second term might mean for continued support for Kyiv.
Biden administration aims to maximize Ukraine aid before transition
With Trump set to take office in January, the outgoing Biden administration is accelerating aid to Ukraine.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that the White House aims to use the remaining $6 billion in allocated funding to bolster Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and in future negotiations.
