MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump’s latest statements on Ukraine — in which he said Moscow will win the war and that Kyiv will have to cede land — align with Russia’s view.
In an interview to Politico, Trump also said European leaders were “weak” and called on Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to hold elections in statements that spooked Kyiv and Europe.
“In many ways, on the subject of NATO membership, on the subject of territories, on the subjects of how Ukraine is losing land, it is in tune with our understanding,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, on Wednesday.
He called Trump’s comments “very important.”
Trump said Russia has a stronger negotiating position in talks to end the war because of the size of the country, and said that Ukraine would never join NATO.
Following the interview, Zelensky said he was ready to hold new elections in Ukraine provided security would be assured.
Moscow’s offensive — which prompted Kyiv to introduce martial law — has made holding elections in the country impossible under Ukrainian law.
Russia has long called for Zelensky’s demise, calling him an illegitimate leader.
“We will see how the events will unfold,” Peskov said of Zelensky’s announcement.
The United States has intensified its talks with both Russia and Ukraine to end Europe’s worst conflict since World War II.
In his interview to Politico, Trump said reaching a deal is “tough” and that “one of the reasons is the level of hatred between Putin and Zelensky is tremendous.”
Kremlin says Trump’s Ukraine statements in line with Russia’s view
https://arab.news/nbc4u
Kremlin says Trump’s Ukraine statements in line with Russia’s view
- US president says Moscow will win the war and that Kyiv will have to cede
Kremlin says Putin is mediating in Iran to normalize situation
- Putin had then been briefed by Pezeshkian in a separate call on what the Kremlin called Tehran’s “sustained efforts” to normalize the situation inside Iran
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin is mediating in the Iran situation to quickly de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said on Friday, after the Russian leader spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Moscow has condemned US threats of new military strikes after Iran acted against protests that broke out late last month.
Putin in his call with Netanyahu expressed Russia’s willingness to “continue its mediation efforts and to promote constructive dialogue with the participation of all interested states,” the Kremlin said, adding he had set out his ideas for boosting stability in the Middle East.
No further details were given on Putin’s mediation attempt.
Putin had then been briefed by Pezeshkian in a separate call on what the Kremlin called Tehran’s “sustained efforts” to normalize the situation inside Iran.
“It was noted that Russia and Iran unanimously and consistently support de-escalating
the tensions — both surrounding Iran and in the region as a whole — as soon as possible
and resolving any emerging issues through exclusively political and diplomatic means,” the Kremlin said.
Putin and Pezeshkian had confirmed their commitment to their countries’ strategic partnership and to implementing joint economic projects, the Kremlin added.
Separately, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes Russia, China, India, and Iran, among others, said it opposed external interference in Iran and blamed Western sanctions for creating conditions for unrest.
“Unilateral sanctions have had a significant negative impact on the economic stability of the state, led to a deterioration in people’s living conditions, and objectively limited the ability of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to implement measures to ensure the country’s socio-economic development,” the SCO said in a statement.
Protests erupted on Dec. 28 over soaring inflation in Iran, whose economy has been crippled by sanctions.
Asked what support Russia could provide to Iran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Russia is already providing assistance not only to Iran but also to the entire region, and to the cause of regional stability and peace. This is partly thanks to the president’s efforts to help de-escalate tensions.”
The US Treasury on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security.
