The Kremlin has indirectly contradicted claims by President Donald Trump that Moscow is prepared to accept a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about comments that Trump made that Vladimir Putin would not oppose the presence of European troops to oversee a ceasefire in the country which Moscow invaded three years ago.
But Peskov said he had nothing to add to what had been previously said by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who last week ruled out such a proposal.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.
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Why It matters
Trump said he backed the deployment of European military personnel to Ukraine. His view that Putin would support such an idea raised speculation about an end to the war, but Peskov’s comments have effectively negated Trump’s claims, adding to uncertainty over whether a deal can be struck.
What to know
Trump met with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, during which the U.S. president said Putin would not oppose European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential ceasefire, according to European Pravda.
Trump said that if there were a deal to be made with Putin, he had “specifically asked” the Russian president about a peacekeeping force and was told that he would agree to such a move.
However, when asked about Trump’s claims, Peskov said that Moscow’s position on this had already been expressed by Lavrov and that he had “nothing to add,” according to the state news agency Tass.
Moscow has repeatedly opposed having NATO troops in Ukraine, and Lavrov said last week it would be a “direct threat” to Russia’s sovereignty, regardless of whether the personnel were operating under a different flag.
Ukraine’s European allies have raised concerns about the Trump administration’s commitment to security on the continent as it distances itself from the support that Washington gave Kyiv under President Joe Biden.
Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told European Pravda that that the Trump administration was now more focused on Russia and that Europe should prepare to fight Russia without American support.
What People Are Saying
Donald Trump said: “Look, if we do this deal, he’s not looking for more war … I’ve specifically asked him that question. He has no problem with it.”
Dmitry Peskov said: “There is a position on this matter that was expressed by Russian Foreign Minister [Sergei] Lavrov. I have nothing to add to this and nothing to comment on.”
What Happens Next
Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, did not respond directly to Peskov’s comment, but did say the Trump administration would continue to work with Moscow and Kyiv to end the war, Reuters reported.
