Kremlin Denies Trump-Putin Phone Call Amid Tensions Over Ukraine
The Kremlin is denying recent media reports that Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect, had a private conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Sources originally claimed the call happened last Thursday, with Trump allegedly warning Putin against escalating the conflict and highlighting America's military presence in Europe. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov firmly dismissed the reports as "pure fiction," denying that any conversation took place between the two leaders.
What do the reports say?
According to the initial reports by The Washington Post and Reuters, the alleged phone call involved discussions about peace in Europe, with Trump expressing a willingness to explore ways to resolve the war in Ukraine. The sources claimed the Ukrainian government was informed of the call but did not oppose it. However, Ukraine's foreign ministry quickly dismissed these reports as false, emphasising that Ukraine would never endorse such a conversation.
Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, declined to comment on the alleged call, stating that they do not discuss private conversations between Trump and other world leaders. Meanwhile, Peskov reiterated on Monday that there are currently no plans for Putin to speak with Trump, despite Russia indicating it is open to discussions about Ukraine with the incoming administration.
Biden administration express concern over Trump’s stance on Ukraine
Amid the controversy, President Biden's administration has voiced concerns that Trump's possible pivot away from supporting Ukraine could destabilise Europe. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden would use his remaining time in office to emphasise the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine, warning that abandoning the country could embolden Moscow.
War continues in Ukraine
As both sides ramp up their military efforts, the conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of slowing down. In recent days, both Russia and Ukraine have launched large-scale drone strikes, marking some of the most intense drone activity since the war began. On Monday, Russian airstrikes resulted in multiple casualties in Ukraine, while Moscow claimed to have shot down several Ukrainian drones over its territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned Russia's continued attacks on civilian areas, and called for stronger global support to counteract Russian aggression. Zelenskyy reiterated that diplomacy must go hand-in-hand with military strength to end the war, underscoring that "weapons alone will not do the job."
Trump claims he could end the war "within a day", and Putin congratulates Trump on election win
As Trump prepares to take office, his repeated claims that he could end the war "within a day" have sparked both scepticism and cautious optimism. During his campaign, Trump insisted that if he had been president, Putin would never have invaded Ukraine. However, he has not provided specifics on how he plans to broker peace.
Meanwhile, Putin recently congratulated Trump on his election win, calling him a "brave man" during a public forum in Sochi. He expressed interest in Trump's promise to restore U.S.-Russia relations, especially regarding the Ukrainian conflict. However, Putin made it clear that Moscow's demands—such as Ukraine abandoning its NATO ambitions and ceding occupied territories—remain non-negotiable.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s approach to foreign policy has left European allies on edge. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged the EU to increase support for Ukraine, warning that Putin might exploit the post-election transition period in the U.S. to press his advantage on the battlefield.
The world now watches closely as Trump prepares to assume office, wondering if his diplomatic strategies will bring any change to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
