Russia refutes reports of Putin-Trump call over Ukraine conflict

The Kremlin has denied a recent report that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. president-elect Donald Trump held a phone conversation about the Ukraine conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations on Monday as “simply false information,” following a Washington Post report suggesting Trump had urged Putin to avoid further escalation.

According to anonymous sources cited by the Post, Trump reportedly reminded Putin of the U.S.’s strong military presence in Europe and conveyed a desire for renewed dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, refrained from confirming or denying the reported call, stating, “we do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders.”

As Trump prepares for his January 20 inauguration, his stance on the Ukraine conflict has become a focal point. He has called for a swift resolution to the war and questioned continued U.S. support for Kyiv.

In a recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, joined by Elon Musk, Trump discussed potential paths to peace. Trump also spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with both leaders reportedly committed to working toward stability in Europe.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is moving to deliver as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump takes office. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized that the U.S. aims to bolster Ukraine’s position in both military and diplomatic terms.

Despite Trump’s peace-focused rhetoric, which the Kremlin cautiously welcomed, his plans remain unclear. “At least he’s talking about peace, and not about confrontation,” Peskov noted. Trump has repeatedly pledged to bring an end to the conflict swiftly, though he has not outlined specific steps.

The potential for a quick peace deal has raised concerns in Kyiv, where officials insist on maintaining Ukraine’s territorial integrity. European allies, including Britain and France, are also wary of possible unilateral moves by Trump that might compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty.