Kremlin Denies Alleged Trump And Putin Phone Call Amid Rising Speculations Over Ukraine Conflict
Trump And Putin Phone Call: In a recent turn of events, the Kremlin has firmly denied claims that President-elect Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, dismissing reports by The Washington Post as “completely false.” According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, there was no phone call between the two leaders, contradicting the report that Trump had allegedly reached out to Putin to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Kremlin’s Response to “False Information”
On Sunday, a Washington Post article—sourced from anonymous insiders—claimed that Trump had phoned Putin from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The report suggested that during the alleged call, Trump had reminded Putin of America’s extensive military presence in Europe and expressed a desire for further discussions to expedite an end to the war in Ukraine. Moscow, however, has refuted this report, categorically labeling it as “fake news” and reaffirming that no such communication took place.
Trump’s Call with Ukraine’s Zelensky Featuring Elon Musk
Earlier last week, President-elect Trump did speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, congratulating him on his recent victory. The conversation was reportedly attended by Elon Musk, who was with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Following this call, Zelensky took to social media platform X, praising Trump’s historic win and expressing optimism about future cooperation. During the exchange, Trump reportedly handed the phone to Musk, who assured Zelensky that he would continue supporting Ukraine through Starlink, Musk’s satellite communication system that has provided critical battlefield connectivity for Ukrainian forces since 2022.
According to Axios, Zelensky found the conversation “reassuring,” highlighting Musk’s potential influence within the Trump administration. Musk’s involvement has notably contributed to Ukraine’s defense, as Starlink satellites have enabled real-time military communication and drone coordination in areas where traditional networks are compromised.
Trump’s Promise to Support Ukraine and Prospects for Peace Talks
The Trump-Zelensky call, lasting nearly half an hour, is said to have touched upon continued support for Ukraine. Trump, while assuring Ukraine of his administration’s backing, refrained from sharing specific policy shifts but indicated a diplomatic approach. The two leaders had previously met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly in September, where Trump reportedly assured Zelensky that he would aim for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, saying, “I promise you will be happy with me.”
Biden Administration’s Last-Minute Support for Ukraine
With Trump set to take office on January 20, the Biden administration is accelerating aid to Ukraine to maximize its position on the battlefield. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that $6 billion in aid will be deployed to support Ukraine before Trump’s inauguration, aiming to strengthen Ukraine’s standing in any forthcoming negotiations. Sullivan emphasized the importance of fortifying Ukraine’s defenses to facilitate a favorable outcome at the negotiating table.
Conflicting Demands from Putin and Zelensky
As talks of a potential peace agreement surface, both Russia and Ukraine hold firm on their respective stances. Putin’s precondition for peace remains Ukraine’s withdrawal from specific territories, a demand Zelensky continues to reject. The Ukrainian president has stated that conceding land to Russia would encourage further aggression, reiterating his stance that Ukraine will not cede any territory.
This series of events underlines the complex diplomatic web that the incoming Trump administration will face as it takes charge of U.S. foreign policy amidst the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
