KEY POINTS
- Kremlin says Trump’s latest Ukraine comments align with Russia’s position.
- Trump claims Russia holds the advantage and Ukraine will never join NATO.
- Zelensky says elections possible only if security is ensured under martial law.
- Moscow says it seeks lasting peace, not a temporary ceasefire.
- Ukraine and Europeans preparing revised 20-point peace proposals for US.
- EU leaders stress Ukraine’s sovereignty and discuss security guarantees.
MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump’s latest statements on the Ukraine war align with Russia’s stance, including his view that Moscow holds the advantage and that Kyiv may have to cede territory.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Trump’s remarks were “very important” and “in tune with our understanding” of the conflict. He cited Trump’s comments on NATO membership, territorial control, and Ukraine’s battlefield losses.
In an interview, Trump told Politico that Russia was in a stronger negotiating position because of its size, and claimed that Ukraine would never join NATO.
He also described European leaders as “weak” and urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hold elections, comments that alarmed Kyiv and European capitals.
Zelensky said after the interview that he was ready to hold elections if security conditions allowed. Martial law introduced after the war with Russia in 2022 which makes voting impossible under Ukrainian law.
Russia has repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy and demanded his removal. “We will see how the events will unfold,” Peskov said.
Russia wants peace, not temporary ceasefire
Peskov said Moscow sought “sustainable, durable, and lasting peace”, not a short-term halt in fighting. He was responding to Zelensky’s statement that Kyiv was working on a proposal for an “energy truce”.
The Kremlin spokesman noted that Russia had earlier suspended strikes on Ukrainian energy sites, while accusing Ukrainian forces of continuing to hit infrastructure in multiple Russian regions.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Trump was not easing pressure on Moscow. Instead, he said, Trump was imposing additional sanctions.
Revised peace proposals
Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine and its European partners will soon present the United States with “refined documents” on a proposed peace plan. The announcement followed several days of diplomacy in London and Brussels.
Washington is pushing for a quick agreement to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since the Second World War.
Kyiv is resisting elements of a US plan unveiled last month, which many in Ukraine and Europe believe favours Russia.
Zelensky said a previous 28-point US proposal had been reduced to 20 points after talks with American officials.
He said Kyiv “did not like everything” in the revised version but would send its position to Washington.
He cited territorial concessions and security guarantees as the main sticking points.
“The key is to know what our partners will be ready to do in the event of new aggression by Russia,” Zelensky said. “At the moment, we have not received any answer.”
Ukraine insists it will not surrender territory that Russia has not captured. Putin has demanded that Ukraine hand over the entire eastern Donbas region before Russia halts its assault.
ALSO READ: Ukraine to Send US Revised Peace Plan to End War with Russia: Zelensky
Trump told Politico that Zelensky would “have to get on the ball and start… accepting things”.
Ukraine’s sovereignty must be respected
Zelensky met the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany in London, before travelling to Brussels for talks with EU and NATO chiefs.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine’s sovereignty “must be respected”, and that its long-term security was essential for Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe was preparing “robust security guarantees” and reconstruction measures for Ukraine.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the allies were working on three documents, including a 20-point framework, security guarantees, and a reconstruction plan.
“I think we are closer to a peace agreement than we have been at any time since the war began,” he said in Helsinki.
UN Security Council
At a UN Security Council meeting, Deputy US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta said Washington aimed to secure a permanent ceasefire and a peace deal that preserved Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow had put forward “realistic proposals” for a long-term settlement.
He warned that every new offer presented to Kyiv “is less favourable to it than the last”.
“Russia will achieve the objectives of its special military operation in any event,” he said. “The only question is whether we do this militarily or diplomatically. We reiterate that we prefer the latter.”
Zelensky met Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo near Rome. The Vatican said the Pope expressed his “urgent desire” for diplomatic efforts to produce a just and lasting peace.
The Ukrainian leader also held talks in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a strong supporter of Kyiv. Italy has sent weapons to Ukraine but for use only inside the country.
Rome has delayed a decision on renewing military aid beyond 31 December, prompting questions from coalition partner Matteo Salvini, who is sceptical of continued support.
Meloni insisted that Italy would continue backing Ukraine’s defence “as long as there is a war”.
