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Kremlin Backs Trump’s View That Ukraine Is Obstructing Peace Efforts
Moscow has expressed agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Ukraine, not Russia, is the primary obstacle to peace negotiations in the nearly four-year-old conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the alignment of views on Thursday, stating, “Yes, we can agree with it, it’s indeed so.”
The comments followed Trump’s Wednesday interview with Reuters in which he claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was impeding U.S.-led peace efforts while suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin was “ready to make a deal.”
This characterization stands in stark contrast to the position held by most European officials, who have consistently accused Putin of deliberately stalling negotiations while Russian forces continue their military campaign and bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk swiftly countered Trump’s assessment, writing on social media platform X: “It is Russia who rejected the peace plan prepared by the U.S., not Zelenskyy. The only Russian response (was) further missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. This is why the only solution is to strengthen pressure on Russia. And you all know it.”
The divergent views highlight growing tensions within the Western alliance over the approach to ending the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
While receiving credentials from foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin on Thursday, Putin maintained that Russia requires security guarantees in any potential peace agreement. “We must proceed from the premise that security must be truly universal, and therefore equal and indivisible, and it cannot be ensured for some at the expense of the security of others,” he stated, adding that Russia would “continue to consistently pursue the goals it has set” until such guarantees are established.
Trump’s position appears to contradict recent statements from his own administration officials. Just last week, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham indicated that Trump supported a robust sanctions package designed to economically pressure Russia, describing it as “well-timed, as Ukraine is making concessions for peace and Putin is all talk, continuing to kill the innocent.”
Further undermining Trump’s characterization, the U.S. government on Monday accused Russia of a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” of the war at precisely the time when the Trump administration is attempting to advance peace negotiations.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War offered additional context in a Wednesday analysis, stating that “the Kremlin has been delaying the peace process for months in order to protract the war and achieve Russia’s original war aims through military means.”
Despite diplomatic efforts, violence continues across Ukraine. In the western city of Lviv, typically considered relatively safe from the worst of the fighting, a Russian drone struck a playground overnight. According to Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the regional military administration, the attack shattered over a hundred windows in the area, though no injuries were reported.
The peace process itself appears stalled, with Peskov confirming that no date has been set for U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff to make another visit to Moscow for further talks.
The disagreement over which side bears responsibility for the lack of progress toward peace reflects the fundamental challenge facing negotiators: Kyiv and Moscow remain far apart on their terms for ending the conflict, with neither side willing to make the territorial or security concessions the other demands.
As the war approaches its fourth year, the contradictory narratives from Washington and European capitals threaten to further complicate Western efforts to present a unified approach to resolving a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.
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7 Comments
While it’s not surprising to see the Kremlin aligning with Trump’s perspective, I’m curious to understand the underlying motives and strategic calculations behind this apparent agreement. Does it signal a potential shift in Russia’s negotiating stance, or is it simply a matter of political posturing?
That’s a valid question. The Kremlin’s agreement with Trump could be a tactical move to shift the narrative and potentially gain some leverage in the negotiations. It will be important to monitor how this plays out in the coming weeks and months.
It’s troubling to see the Kremlin seemingly validate Trump’s assessment, which appears to contradict the positions of key European allies. This raises questions about the alignment of interests and the potential for further divisions within the international community on the Ukraine issue.
This news is a concerning development, as it suggests a potential alignment between the Kremlin and the Trump administration on the Ukraine conflict. It will be important for policymakers and analysts to closely monitor the implications of this apparent agreement and its impact on the ongoing negotiations.
This is an interesting development. It’s noteworthy that the Kremlin seems to agree with Trump’s assessment, potentially signaling a shift in Russia’s position on the Ukraine conflict. However, it’s important to consider the broader geopolitical context and perspectives from other European leaders before drawing conclusions.
You raise a good point. The differing views from European officials highlight the complexities of this conflict and the need for balanced analysis beyond just the Kremlin and Trump’s statements.
The conflicting views between Trump and European leaders on who is obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine are concerning. This highlights the need for a more coordinated and transparent diplomatic approach to resolve the conflict. Continued escalation and finger-pointing are unlikely to lead to a sustainable solution.