Kremlin Addresses Trump’s Push for Ukraine Peace
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tackled President Donald Trump’s sharp words toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that Russia remains committed to forging a peace deal with Ukraine. “We are working on the implementation of some ideas related to the Ukrainian settlement,” Peskov told Reuters, though he cautioned, “This is a time-consuming process, probably due to its complexity.” He offered no concrete updates, noting there’s little to share yet on the intricate negotiations.
Peskov’s comments came in response to Trump’s Sunday interview with NBC News, where the U.S. president warned of “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil if Moscow doesn’t help end the “bloodshed in Ukraine.”
Trump didn’t hold back his frustration, saying he was “very angry, pissed off, when Putin started getting into [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky’s credibility and started talking about new leadership in Ukraine.” Peskov, keeping a diplomatic tone, added that Russia is also focused on repairing ties with the U.S., which he said “were badly damaged during the previous administration.”
Trump’s Balancing Act Between Russia and Ukraine
Trump’s irritation with Putin flared after the Russian leader questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy—a sore spot for the U.S. president, who met with Zelensky last month in the Oval Office.
“I was disappointed in a certain way some of the things that were said over the last day or two having to do with Zelensky,” Trump told reporters Sunday.
“He considers Zelensky not credible, he’s supposed to be making a deal with him whether you like him, you don’t like him. So I wasn’t happy with that. But I think he’s going to be good.” The remarks reflect Trump’s push for progress, even as he navigates a tricky dynamic with both leaders.
This tougher stance on Putin contrasts with earlier moments in Trump’s tenure. In February, he and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized Zelensky, accusing him of taking U.S. aid for granted and “gambling with World War III.”
That tension boiled over in the Oval Office, leading to Zelensky’s abrupt exit before sealing a minerals deal.
Trump claimed Sunday that Zelensky is now “trying to back out” of that agreement, griping, “We made a deal on rare earths, and now he’s saying, ‘well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal.’ He wants to be a member of NATO. Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that, so, if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems.”
Ceasefire Falters Amid Ongoing Talks
The backdrop to this diplomatic sparring is a fragile ceasefire brokered last week by the White House, aiming to halt attacks on energy facilities and secure the Black Sea. Both Russia and Ukraine quickly pointed fingers, alleging the other side breached the deal with strikes on energy targets.
Meanwhile, Trump’s threat of tariffs signals his readiness to flex economic muscle if Russia stalls, though he’s faced scrutiny for past friendliness toward Moscow and his hardline approach to Kyiv.
Peskov, for his part, framed Russia’s efforts as steady but slow, saying, “We are continuing to work with the American side, first of all to build our bilateral relations.”
As talks drag on, the situation remains fluid—Trump’s impatience with Putin and Zelensky alike underscores the high stakes, while Russia insists it’s still at the table, wrestling with a process that defies quick fixes.
