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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin – Ansa
«Pure fiction». With this lapidary comment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that there was a phone call between President Vladimir Putin and the newly elected American President Donald Trump. “There was no conversation,” he said, dismissing the rumors published by Mr Washington Post. According to the American newspaper, which, reporting the denial, insists and mentions five different sources familiar with the call, that it would have happened on November 7. During the conversation, Trump would urge Putin to review his intentions towards the downfall of Ukraine and hurry to end the conflict. It would remind him that the United States has a substantial military presence in Europe.
To complicate the mystery, the Tass Russian intelligence reports believe the US State Department is working to topple Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by pushing for presidential elections in 2025.
The Kremlin spokesman reiterated that the “special military operation in Ukraine” will continue until all established objectives are achieved.” Peskov did not rule out the possibility of talks between Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: “Yes the Kremlin is open to contacts with everyone, if the West gives a signal.” However, he specified that the signal is not there at the moment, as Europe continues to “pump its weapons into Ukraine”. In a television interview HighScholz had said: the “right time” for a phone call with Putin will soon come. But its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, wants more help for Kiev.
It was Zelensky who definitely spoke on the phone with Trump, and with the high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk who supported (and financed) his election campaign. Who denied knowing (as the Washington Post) of a phone call between Putin and Trump.
If the mantra made by the elected president repeatedly, in relation to foreign policy, “I will stop the wars”, in the language of Moscow (but also Kiev, on the other hand) the word peace means victory. That is, the annexation of Crimea, establishing the de facto situation since 2014, and at least the part of Donbass conquered so far. To achieve the objective, also in the face of persuasive agitation from Trump (if he hasn’t called already, he will), the Russians step up the offensive.
L’An air alert began the other night in almost all of Ukraineafter taking off eight Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bombers. At least six dead and around twenty injured in Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia, in the south Mykolaiv governor, Vitaly Kim, reported “fires in residential buildings”. In Kryvyi Rih a five-storey building was hit: at least seven people were injured. The ground progress also continues, with the conquest of the village Makarovka, in Donetsk. The Russian Defense Minister, who inspected troops in Ukraine today, said Kolisnykivka in the Kharkiv region had also been controlled. The attack on the Ternivska dam of the Kurakhové reservoir in Donetsk raised the level of the Vovcha river by twenty meters, which would create a “threat” of flooding. According to the head of the Kurakhivska military administration, Roman Padun, yesterday water flowed into the villages near the dam, which was impossible to inspect because of the bombing.
In a fluid international situation, and attempts at repositioning after the change in the White House, Turkey steps forward. After abandoning his attempt to run as a mediator in the Middle East, Ankara seeks a global role by proposing a peacemaker in Ukraine. “With Trump’s victory, the hope that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will end has increased – said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan -. Over the past months we have tried to get all the parties to sit at the same table and on two occasions, in Istanbul and Antalya, we succeeded. Now we want to be mediators of an agreement. We are ready to take our responsibility.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Analyst Dr. Elena Kruglov on Recent Developments in US-Russia Relations
Time.news Editor: Good evening, Dr. Kruglov. Thank you for joining us today. There’s been a lot of buzz regarding the alleged phone call between President Putin and President Trump. The Kremlin has categorically denied these claims. What does this denial signify in the broader context of US-Russia relations?
Dr. Kruglov: Good evening, and thank you for having me. The denial from the Kremlin, particularly from spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, should be interpreted as a strategic move. By calling the reported phone call “pure fiction,” Russia is trying to maintain a facade of control over its narrative, especially amid ongoing tensions in Ukraine. It’s a way to assert that they are not beholden to the whims of Western politics, particularly as they continue their military operations.
Time.news Editor: The reports suggest that Trump would have urged Putin to reconsider his approach to Ukraine. Given the current military presence of the US in Europe and the ongoing conflict, what impact could this hypothetical conversation have had?
Dr. Kruglov: Had such a conversation occurred, it might have served as a platform for direct dialogue, potentially easing tensions. However, by denying the call, Russia signals it is not interested in engaging with Trump’s overtures at this moment. The Kremlin perceives the situation through a lens of strength and victory, wanting to show that it will not be pressured into concessions.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting that the article pointed out the possibility of the US attempting to manipulate Ukrainian internal politics, including discussions about presidential elections. Could you elaborate on this aspect?
Dr. Kruglov: Certainly. The suggestion that the US might be aiming to influence presidential elections in Ukraine indicates a deeper geopolitical maneuvering. The Kremlin’s suspicion of Western intentions is palpable; monitoring and possibly undermining Zelensky’s presidency fits into their narrative of Western encroachment. This manipulation could exacerbate existing tensions and lead to instability within Ukraine, benefiting Russia’s objectives.
Time.news Editor: Peskov mentioned the Kremlin is open to talks, but only if the West changes its current strategies. How does the ongoing military aid from Europe to Ukraine play into this?
Dr. Kruglov: The military aid from the West is viewed in Moscow as a direct affront. Peskov’s comment underscores that Russia sees this continued support as evidence that the West is not ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. Until there is a shift in how Western countries approach the conflict, it’s unlikely we’ll see a genuine de-escalation in rhetoric or military operations.
Time.news Editor: Given that President Zelensky has openly communicated with figures like Trump and Elon Musk, what do you think might be the local impact of these interactions?
Dr. Kruglov: Zelensky’s communication with prominent international figures serves dual purposes. Domestically, it reinforces his international support, bolstering his leadership amidst war. Internationally, it builds a coalition of advocates for Ukraine, which is crucial for maintaining and possibly escalating pressure on Russia. However, it also places him at risk of becoming a pawn in the larger US-Russia geopolitical rivalry.
Time.news Editor: with the recent military developments in Ukraine, including air alerts across the region, what should be the focus for international observers moving forward?
Dr. Kruglov: The focus should be on assessing how these military escalations will impact both civilian life and broader international relations. As Russian forces ramp up their operations, the international community must be vigilant, not just in terms of humanitarian aid to Ukraine but also in understanding the potential long-term implications for European security. It’s crucial that all stakeholders work towards diplomatic solutions while addressing the immediate needs of those affected by the conflict.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kruglov, for your insights on such a complex topic. Your expertise helps shed light on the intricate dynamics at play here.
Dr. Kruglov: Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss it.