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Putin Open to Talks with Trump, But Ukraine Demands Remain Firm, Says Kremlin

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly open to discussing the Ukraine conflict with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, though he remains resolute in his demands regarding Ukraine, the Kremlin confirmed on Friday. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson, emphasized that Moscow’s objectives in Ukraine have not shifted and that Putin has no intention of revising these terms.

When questioned about whether Putin’s willingness to communicate with Trump indicates any flexibility in Russia’s stance, Peskov clarified that Russia’s goals remain unchanged. “The president has never suggested a shift in the objectives of the special military operation. He has repeatedly emphasized that they are consistent,” said Peskov. He underscored that Russia’s goals pertain to securing the nation’s interests and protecting Russian citizens in the contested areas.

As of mid-2023, Putin’s terms for ending the war require Ukraine to abandon NATO aspirations and withdraw its military from the four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—that Russia claims as its own. Ukraine has dismissed these conditions, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asserting that accepting such terms would amount to surrender. Instead, Zelenskiy has presented a “victory plan” calling for increased Western military assistance to achieve a decisive Ukrainian win.

Trump, who has previously criticized extensive U.S. support for Ukraine, has suggested he could end the conflict within 24 hours if given the opportunity, though he has not specified his approach. Zelenskiy expressed skepticism over Trump’s promise, warning that a quick resolution could entail significant losses for Ukraine. “If it’s just fast, it means losses for Ukraine. I just don’t yet understand how this could be in any other way,” Zelenskiy remarked.

In recent statements, Putin extended congratulations to Trump following his election win, commending his composure during an attempted assassination in July. He also expressed an openness to dialogue, describing Trump’s comments on resolving the Ukraine conflict as noteworthy. Trump himself has mentioned to NBC that he has not yet spoken with Putin but anticipates a conversation in the near future.

Peskov, however, noted that while there are no confirmed plans for a call between Trump and Putin, the Russian president remains open to dialogue. According to the Kremlin, current U.S.-Russia relations are at an all-time low due to Washington’s ongoing support for Ukraine and extensive sanctions on Russia.

Putin’s last direct communication with U.S. President Joe Biden occurred in February 2022, shortly before Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine. During that call, Biden warned Putin of a swift Western response should he proceed with the invasion.

The Kremlin has also dispelled rumors that Trump had spoken to Putin since leaving office, despite claims in journalist Bob Woodward’s book “War” suggesting otherwise. According to the book, an unnamed Trump aide claimed that Trump and Putin may have had as many as seven conversations since Trump exited the White House in 2021. The Kremlin, however, has denied such claims.

 

U.S. Cautions Long-Range Strikes Won’t Be Decisive in Ukraine War, Zelenskiy Pushes for Expanded Capabilities

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Ukraine’s long-range strikes into Russia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized on Friday, will not be the decisive factor in turning the tide of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, even as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy continues to urge Western nations to supply long-range missiles. Speaking at a meeting of Ukraine’s allies at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Austin reiterated Washington’s commitment to supporting Kyiv, announcing an additional $250 million in U.S. security assistance. However, he pushed back against the idea that deep strikes within Russia using Western weapons would shift the balance of the war. Zelenskiy has long called for the lifting of restrictions that prevent Ukraine from striking targets deep inside Russia, arguing that such capabilities would pressure Moscow to seek peace. During the meeting, he received support from several Baltic nations, including Lithuania and Estonia, who echoed his call for more advanced weaponry.

Austin, however, maintained that no single capability would be decisive, explaining that Russia had already moved key aircraft beyond the range of U.S.-supplied missiles. He also pointed out that Ukraine possesses its own drone capabilities, which can reach targets within Russia. “There are many targets in Russia,” Austin said, referring to Ukraine’s use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other tactics to strike critical points. Meanwhile, Germany pledged an additional 12 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, and Canada announced it would send 80,840 surplus small air-to-surface rockets and 1,300 warheads in the months ahead.

Zelenskiy’s appearance at the Ramstein meeting comes at a critical juncture in the war, as Ukrainian forces conduct a surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, while Russian troops intensify their focus on capturing Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, a key logistics hub. Zelenskiy insists that long-range strikes on Russian territory are essential not only for liberating occupied regions but also for compelling Russia to negotiate peace. Despite Western reluctance to allow strikes deep inside Russia, Zelenskiy has consistently challenged the notion of ‘red lines’ drawn by Russia, asserting that such boundaries do not hold in the face of ongoing aggression.

The Ramstein meeting also comes at a politically sensitive time for the United States, with the upcoming presidential election potentially affecting U.S. support for Ukraine. While Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged continued support, former President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism over the aid being funneled to Ukraine and has suggested that peace talks could involve territorial concessions by Kyiv. At the meeting, Austin cited the heavy toll the war has taken on Russia’s military, estimating that over 350,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded and detailing the destruction of 32 Russian Navy vessels. Nonetheless, Moscow continues to unleash missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, highlighting the need for additional air defense systems, a point Zelenskiy underscored during the talks.

Kharkiv Missile Strike Injures Dozens Amid Escalating Ukraine-Russia Tensions; Kyiv Calls for Long-Range Weapons

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In a continuation of the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, at least 47 people, including five children, were injured on Sunday when Russian missiles struck a shopping mall and events complex in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. This attack came after Russia claimed it had been targeted by one of Ukraine’s largest drone assaults to date, which hit power plants and an oil refinery. The intensification of violence has raised alarm across both nations as the war enters a critical phase.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded to the Kharkiv missile strike by calling on Western allies to provide Kyiv with long-range missiles capable of reaching deeper into Russian territory. He argued that such capabilities are necessary to neutralize Russia’s military threat, particularly as Moscow ramps up its attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. In a post on Telegram, Zelenskiy urged global leaders to act decisively and supply Ukraine with the weapons needed to defend itself.

The missile strike on Kharkiv comes at a time when Russia is making gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly towards the key military hub of Pokrovsk. Russian forces continue to press their offensive in the region while attempting to push back Ukrainian forces that had recently launched a surprise incursion into Russia’s western border. Despite these efforts, Ukraine’s advance does not appear to have significantly shifted the balance of power in the region.

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As the war drags on, both sides have increasingly targeted each other’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine, bolstered by its expanding domestic drone industry, has increased its assaults on Russian energy, military, and transport facilities. Russia, meanwhile, has conducted its heaviest airstrikes of the war in recent days, striking numerous Ukrainian energy targets and claiming these are legitimate military objectives. Thousands of civilians have been killed since the conflict began in February 2022, with Russia continuing to deny deliberately targeting non-combatants.

Russia reported that it had shot down 158 drones launched by Ukraine, with some causing fires at the Moscow Oil Refinery and the Konakovo Power Station. While Kyiv has yet to comment on the drone attacks, the damage underscores the growing potency of Ukraine’s aerial capabilities.

In a troubling development, Moscow has hinted at potential revisions to its nuclear doctrine. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov suggested that changes were underway in response to the West’s involvement in the conflict. Although specifics were not provided, the possibility of lowering the threshold for nuclear use has been floated by some hardliners within Russia’s military establishment. Current Russian doctrine allows for nuclear retaliation in the event of a nuclear or conventional attack that threatens the state’s existence.

The situation in eastern Ukraine remains dire, with Russian forces capturing two more settlements in the Donetsk region and continuing their advance toward Pokrovsk. Despite hopes that Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region might force Moscow to divert troops and ease pressure on the eastern front, Russian forces appear to have maintained their momentum. Ukrainian officials described the situation as “difficult,” with the country’s army chief acknowledging the intense pressure being placed on Ukrainian defenses.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continued to strike back, shelling Russia’s southern Belgorod region, injuring 11 people, including two children. As the conflict grinds on, both sides seem poised for further escalation, with civilian populations increasingly caught in the crossfire.