MOSCOW/Kyiv (dpa-AFX) – The Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to revise his position in negotiations with US President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine, according to Kremlin information, because of an alleged terrorist attack in Kiev. The Kremlin chief informed Trump about this in a phone call after there was an attempted drone attack by Ukraine against his presidential residence in the Novgorod region, said Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov. The Kremlin hopes that the USA will understand that Russia is now reconsidering its position in the negotiations.
Ushakov claimed that Trump was “shocked” by Putin’s descriptions. “In view of the state terrorism carried out by Kiev, the Russian side cannot act otherwise,” he emphasized. “This was made very clear.” At the same time, Putin emphasized “that the Russian side wants to continue to work closely and fruitfully with its American partners in order to find paths to peace.”
Zelensky speaks to Merz and accuses Russia of lying
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russia’s accusations as a lie in several posts on social networks. He described Putin’s alleged drone attack as Moscow’s pretext for wanting to continue the war. Zelensky had negotiated with Trump in the USA on Sunday about ending the war, without any tangible result.
He also spoke to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) about the negotiations in the USA – and also about the Russian fake news about a drone attack on “some residence” of Putin. “Putin has to get used to the fact that he has to end the war, the attacks and the bloodshed. Ukraine is doing everything to create peace,” said Zelenskyj after his phone call with Merz.
Ukraine has repeatedly defended itself against Moscow’s war of aggression, which has been going on for almost four years, with drone attacks on Russian targets.
Kremlin: Trump informed Putin about conversation with Zelensky
According to Ushakov, Trump informed Putin about the talks with Zelensky on Sunday; The US side had advised Zelensky that “Kiev must take concrete steps to finally resolve the conflict instead of hiding behind demands for a temporary ceasefire,” Ushakov said. Russia rejects a ceasefire because it says it wants to prevent the Ukrainian army from reorganizing and arming itself.
According to Trump, Zelensky was recommended “not even to try to achieve a reprieve for his armed forces, but to concentrate on reaching a comprehensive agreement that would lead to a real end to the armed conflict,” Ushakov said. He announced that Putin and Trump wanted to stay in touch./mau/DP/nas