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In a rapid response to recent media reports, the Kremlin has firmly denied that a phone conversation took place between President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Trump allegedly urged Putin to avoid escalating the war in Ukraine.
The reports, first published by The Washington Post and Reuters, claimed that the call occurred on Thursday, just one day after Trump's election victory. According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump is said to have warned Putin against further aggression in Ukraine and reminded him of America's significant military presence in Europe.
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quick to dismiss the claims, labeling them as "completely untrue" and "pure fiction." In a statement to Russian state media, Peskov stated categorically, "This is simply false information. There was no conversation."
When asked if Putin had any specific plans to speak with Trump, Peskov reiterated, "There are no concrete plans yet." This response stands in stark contrast to the Kremlin's previous statements, where it expressed readiness to discuss the Ukraine conflict with the incoming administration.
Reports suggest that the Ukrainian government was informed of the alleged Trump-Putin call and did not object to it. However, Ukraine's foreign ministry firmly refuted these claims, stating that it was "impossible" for Ukraine to have endorsed such a conversation, and that the reports were "false."
The denial from the Kremlin comes amid a backdrop of ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Both countries have launched "record" drone attacks on each other, with Russia claiming to have shot down 84 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including some approaching Moscow. Ukraine, on the other hand, says Russia launched 145 drones towards the country on Saturday night, with most of them shot down.
The escalating conflict has taken a heavy toll, with at least six people killed and 21 injured in Ukraine following the latest series of air strikes by Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for "stronger global support" and more weapons to stop Russian aggression.
As the world grapples with the implications of Trump's election victory, the future of the Ukraine conflict remains uncertain. While the reported call between Trump and Putin suggested a potential avenue for diplomacy, the Kremlin's swift denial has cast doubt on the veracity of the claims.
Analysts remain divided on the significance of the denied conversation. Some view it as a strategic move by the Kremlin to maintain an appearance of neutrality, while others suggest that it could be an attempt to avoid raising expectations or commitments that may not align with Russia's long-term objectives in the region.
With the outgoing President, Joe Biden expected to make the case to Trump that abandoning Ukraine would lead to greater instability in Europe. As the transition of power in the United States looms, the world watches closely to see how the new administration will navigate the delicate situation in Ukraine.
