The Kremlin recently announced its belief that former U.S. President Donald Trump remains dedicated to pursuing peace in Ukraine, even after a notable shift in his public statements earlier this week, which appeared to lean more in Kyiv’s favor.
Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump expressed his conviction that Kyiv possesses the capability to reclaim all territories currently held by Russia—a significant portion, approximately one-fifth of the country. He also suggested that Ukraine should act decisively, capitalizing on Russia’s existing economic challenges.
Adding to this evolving narrative, Trump’s Vice President, J.D. Vance, conveyed to reporters that Trump was becoming “incredibly impatient” with Russia, citing their apparent unwillingness to offer substantial proposals for ending the war.
Vance further elaborated, stating, “If the Russians refuse to negotiate in good faith, I think it’s going to be very, very bad for their country. That’s what the president made clear. It’s not a shift in position. It’s an acknowledgement of the reality on the ground.” This statement aimed to clarify the administration’s perspective rather than signal a fundamental change.
When questioned about Vance’s comments and whether Russia perceived them as conflicting with Washington’s declared intentions to facilitate an end to the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded:
“No, it does not,” Peskov affirmed. “In fact, we observe varied rhetoric emanating from Washington. For the moment, we operate under the assumption that Washington, and indeed President Trump, maintain the political resolve to persist in their efforts towards a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.”
He added, “We fully support these initiatives, and Russia continues to be open to engaging in peace negotiations.”
Despite some Russian nationalists interpreting Trump’s remarks as a potential withdrawal from peace efforts—especially as the war extends into its fourth year—the Kremlin had previously suggested that Trump’s statements might have been influenced by his recent encounter with Zelenskyy.
The crucial question remains whether President Trump’s strong words will be followed by concrete changes in U.S. policy. According to various analysts and European officials, his statements could be seen as a strong message to Europe, urging the continent’s leaders to increase their contributions in terms of weapons and financial aid to Kyiv.