The Kremlin on Monday said that US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a new conversation by “phone very soon”. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said preparations were
under way for the call, as diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war continue.
Peskov said Moscow agreed with President Trump’s view that talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine were in their final stage.
Responding to questions from journalists on whether the Kremlin shared Trump’s assessment, made after his discussions with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Peskov said, “Of course.”
The Kremlin spokesman’s comments came a day after US President Donald Trump said a deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was closer than ever. However, Trump reported no clear breakthrough on the sensitive issue of territory following fresh talks with the leaders of the countries involved in the war.
On Sunday, Trump, who had promised to deliver a peace deal on the first day of his nearly year-old presidency, said it would become clear within weeks whether the conflict could be resolved.
The war has killed tens of thousands of people since it began. As part of a pre-New Year diplomatic push, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida estate. Zelenskyy said a peace plan was 95 per cent complete, even as Russia launched major new attacks on residential areas in Kyiv a day earlier.
As in previous meetings, Putin also spoke by phone with Trump shortly before Zelenskyy’s visit. Despite the latest strikes, Trump said Moscow was “serious” about peace. “I really believe we’re, Mr. President, probably closer than — far closer than — ever before with both parties,” Trump said, with Zelenskyy standing beside him. “Everybody wants it ended,” he added.
On Monday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants to host a meeting with European and American officials in the coming days to work on documents aimed at ending the war.
He said the talks would be held at adviser level. Zelenskyy also said martial law in Ukraine would be lifted only after the war ends and once the country receives security guarantees from Western partners.
(With inputs from AFP)
