Moscow says Putin-Zelenskyy talks not expected

The Kremlin said no telephone conversation is planned between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that Putin’s recent call with Donald Trump did not include talks on a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media on Tuesday that Russia does not currently foresee direct contact between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said Moscow had no clarity on Zelenskyy’s earlier remarks suggesting Russia should prepare a “Plan B” for the conflict.

Peskov noted that although Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Monday, the possibility of a Christmas ceasefire was not raised. He said Russia is considering an end to the conflict only within the framework of its stated objectives, signalling no shift in Moscow’s position.

A new Putin-Trump call is expected “very soon”, according to Peskov, though he provided no date or specifics.

On European politics, Peskov argued that EU leaders backing continued involvement in Ukraine and higher spending may face political pressure at home. He suggested European citizens would have to accept current governments and were unlikely to be able to remove them easily.

Despite tension surrounding negotiations, Peskov said Moscow agrees with Trump’s view that the sides have moved closer to a settlement, describing talks as being at a final stage.

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