Kremlin denies reports of Trump-Putin call on Ukraine conflict

On November 11, conflicting reports surfaced regarding an alleged phone conversation between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to a report by The Washington Post, the two leaders reportedly discussed the Ukraine conflict, with Trump advising Putin against escalating tensions and expressing a desire for peace in Europe. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed this claim as “pure fiction,” maintaining that no such conversation has occurred.

The Washington Post report, citing sources familiar with the call, described a conversation in which Trump, speaking from his Florida residence, urged Putin to ease hostilities in Ukraine. Trump reportedly highlighted the US military presence in Europe and conveyed his interest in finding a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict. The sources also noted that Trump’s communications with foreign leaders, including Putin, have been conducted outside official State Department channels, reflecting his team’s concerns over previous leaks of sensitive presidential calls.

The report further claimed that Ukrainian officials were informed of the call and, while cautious, viewed Trump’s outreach as a possible step toward a diplomatic solution. Trump's communications director, Steven Cheung, emphasized that Trump’s election marked a resurgence of American influence on the world stage, and the president-elect’s openness to negotiations with Putin underscores his focus on potential peace agreements in Europe. However, the article notes that Kyiv remains wary, particularly of any settlement that might compromise Ukrainian territorial integrity.

In stark contrast, Peskov’s statements during a press briefing on the same day underscored the Kremlin’s position that no plans for a Putin-Trump conversation exist. "I would like to refer to the president’s remarks at the plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club. There are no plans yet, and nothing further to add," Peskov stated. His comments reinforce previous indications that Putin’s decision to contact Trump would hinge on the evolving global context.

This discrepancy comes at a crucial juncture, as Ukraine faces intensified Russian military actions, and the US president-elect’s stance on the conflict is scrutinized. Trump has previously criticized the financial burden of US support for Ukraine, suggesting that a peace agreement might have averted the current devastation. Observers are left speculating over the nature of Trump’s approach to US-Russia relations and the potential ramifications for the conflict in Ukraine, as Peskov’s denial leaves the question of contact between the two leaders unresolved.