On November 11, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov firmly denied a report by The Washington Post alleging that US President-elect Donald Trump had engaged in a private call with Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the Ukraine conflict. The report, published on November 10, claimed that Trump urged Putin to avoid escalating the war in Ukraine and reminded him of the extensive US military presence in Europe. This claim, which has stirred considerable attention amid speculation over Trump’s foreign policy stance, was labeled by Peskov as “simply false information,” denying that any phone call had taken place between the two leaders.
The Post based its reporting on unnamed sources familiar with the alleged conversation, claiming Trump expressed a desire for future discussions aimed at ending the Ukraine war quickly. This report came on the heels of a November 6 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Elon Musk, a prominent backer of Trump, reportedly joined the conversation. Musk’s involvement has drawn additional scrutiny due to his prior controversial suggestions for peace negotiations in Ukraine that involved potential concessions by Kyiv.
Trump’s recent election victory has intensified global discussions on the future of US support for Ukraine. He has consistently expressed a desire to end the conflict swiftly, often casting doubt on the substantial financial and military aid that Washington has provided to Kyiv since the war’s onset. Known for his skepticism toward lengthy overseas engagements and vast military aid, Trump’s policies may present a stark shift from the outgoing Democratic administration’s strategy.
Throughout his campaign, Trump criticized the financial burden the Ukraine war has placed on the US, framing it as part of a broader “pro-war nexus” involving defense companies and policy hawks. Trump’s vision for a swift........