Kremlin: Russia believes Trump is still dedicated to achieving peace in Ukraine

Kremlin: Russia believes Trump is still dedicated to achieving peace in Ukraine

MOSCOW — The Kremlin has expressed its belief that U.S. President Donald Trump remains committed to achieving peace in Ukraine, despite his recent comments describing Russia as a "paper tiger." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that while Trump's remarks were unexpected, they did not reflect a change in his dedication to resolving the conflict .

Trump's comments, made after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, marked a shift in his stance on the war in Ukraine. He suggested that Kyiv could reclaim all of its territory currently under Russian control, a stark contrast to his previous positions. Peskov, however, dismissed these claims, stating that the Russian economy remains stable despite Western sanctions .

The Kremlin's position is that Trump's statements were influenced by his meeting with Zelenskiy and do not reflect a genuine shift in U.S. policy. Peskov emphasized that Russia's incremental advances in Ukraine are part of a deliberate strategy and that the dynamics on the front lines are in Russia's favor .

Trump's description of Russia as a "paper tiger" has been rejected by the Kremlin. Peskov stated that Russia is more associated with a bear than a tiger, and that the term "paper tiger" is not applicable to Russia . This shift in rhetoric has been seen by some Russian nationalists as a sign that the U.S. is washing its hands of the conflict, leaving the European Union to bear the financial burden .

The Kremlin has also expressed its willingness to continue engaging with the U.S. in peace negotiations. Peskov stated that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to provide "real information" to Washington .

The market's reaction to Trump's comments has been mixed. European defense stocks experienced strong gains, with several firms posting significant increases. However, American defense stocks showed varied reactions, with some posting marginal gains and others appearing positioned to open slightly lower .

The Ukrainian leadership has welcomed Trump's support, with President Zelenskiy expressing gratitude for his understanding of the conflict situation and comprehensive knowledge of all war aspects . The Ukrainian president has maintained that any peace settlement must include complete restoration of its internationally recognized borders.

In conclusion, the Kremlin believes that Trump's recent comments do not reflect a change in his dedication to achieving peace in Ukraine. The market's reaction to these comments has been mixed, with European defense stocks experiencing strong gains and American defense stocks showing varied reactions. The Ukrainian leadership has welcomed Trump's support, but the long-term implications of these policy changes remain uncertain.