Russia’s Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed President Donald Trump’s claim of talks with Ukraine’s leader and reiterated that Moscow’s stance on halting the front line remains unchanged, according to a Monday statement.
Trump Rejects Talks with Zelensky
President Donald Trump told journalists Sunday that he had never spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about handing over Donbas to Russia, contrary to recent media reports. Trump added that the U.S. should simply stay on its current front line and that any future negotiations could be handled later.
Kremlin Reaffirms Unchanged Stand
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia’s stance on immobilising forces at current positions to launch negotiations is still the same as before. He noted that the issue has been raised multiple times in U.S.–Russia contacts, each time prompting a response that Russia’s position remains consistent.
Frozen Front Line Is Not an Option
Referencing Trump’s statements, Peskov said there have been many declarations on the matter. He added that at the time of previous discussions, Moscow reiterated that a frozen front line would not suit its interests and stressed the importance of achieving its objectives.
Putin Demands Ukraine Withdraws Forces
Later, President Vladimir Putin warned that for peace talks to begin, Ukraine must pull its forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions, some of which are partially occupied by Russia.
