MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to dialogue with US President Donald Trump despite an expected telephone conversation not taking place this week, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no call took place because Trump appeared to be occupied following his meetings in Ankara, where he attended the 36th NATO summit.
“Mr. Trump was apparently very busy after all the contacts in Ankara, so no one called yesterday,” Peskov told reporters during a press briefing.
The Kremlin had said on Monday, following a weekend telephone conversation between the two leaders, that Putin and Trump understood they would remain in contact again “in the near future”.
Peskov said the absence of a follow-up call had not changed Moscow’s position.
“President Putin is open to dialogue,” he said, adding that the Russian leader was “always happy” to speak with Trump and that the two shared a “truly constructive dialogue, despite certain differences that may exist”.
Trump’s meetings in Ankara
Peskov’s comments came a day after Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
During the meeting, Trump said both Putin and Zelenskyy wanted to end the war in Ukraine. He also said the United States was prepared to “close the skies” over Ukraine as part of security guarantees for Kyiv if such a step became necessary.
Trump added that he intended to discuss with Zelenskyy the possibility of granting Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot missiles domestically.
“This way you can’t complain that we’re not giving them enough,” Trump said.
Moscow responds to US remarks
Commenting on Trump’s statements, Peskov said the United States continued to provide Ukraine with weapons and military technology and that Moscow was fully aware of the military support.
“But unlike other countries involved in this conflict, the US remains committed and continues to try to somehow facilitate the peace process. It is through the prism of this attitude that we evaluate all statements,” Peskov said.
He described Washington’s position as showing a “certain duality”, saying the United States was simultaneously supplying arms to Kyiv while attempting to promote peace efforts.
Peskov rejected suggestions that Trump’s remarks indicated a return to a policy of escalating tensions with Russia.
Instead, he said Moscow believed there was a “certain misconception” in the White House that increasing military pressure could help bring about a settlement.
Russia warns against escalation
Peskov argued that the US proposal to “close the skies” over Ukraine would effectively require NATO military activity on Ukrainian territory, which he said explained why Russia continued what it calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
He warned that any further escalation would prolong the conflict and force Russia to establish a larger buffer zone.
“Therefore, escalating tensions and escalatory actions will in no way contribute to the peace process,” Peskov said.
