Kremlin spokesman: Putin, Trump did not discuss deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Photo: TASS

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States did not discuss the deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine in their recent phone call, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"No, it wasn’t discussed," he said in response to a TASS question.

Peskov pointed out that the Russian presidential press service has released an official statement detailing what was covered in Tuesday’s telephone conversation.

Putin and Trump held a phone call on March 18, discussing the idea of a 30-day ceasefire in the conflict in Ukraine, ways to prevent a further escalation of tensions and a number of international issues. The Russian leader supported the US president’s initiative for the parties to the conflict to abandon strikes on energy infrastructure.

The Kremlin has observed a lack of reciprocity from the Kiev regime regarding the observance of a 30-day ceasefire related to energy infrastructure, Dmitry Peskov informed the media.

"We regret to note that, so far, there has been no reciprocity from the Kiev regime. There have been attempts to attack our energy infrastructure facilities, as you are aware. Relevant information is available," Peskov stated.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukraine had carried out launched an attack on a facility in the Krasnodar Region using three drones. This strike followed President Vladimir Putin's decision, made in response to a proposal from US leader Donald Trump to pause strikes on energy infrastructure. The assault resulted in the depressurization of a tank and ignited a fire covering an area of 1,700 square meters. The Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, was rendered inoperable.

The Defense Ministry characterized the Ukrainian strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure as a premeditated provocation "aimed at undermining the US president's peace initiatives." Meanwhile, Russian forces successfully shot down seven drones that had already been launched, following an order from the supreme commander-in-chief to cease attacks on energy facilities.

The Kremlin keeps a close eye on whether the Ukrainian authorities will listen to Moscow’s and Washington’s intention to do everything to reach peaceful settlement, Dmitry Peskov told a briefing.

"We still keep a close eye on whether the Kiev regime will listen to a firm intention of Russian and US presidents to do everything to gradually enter the framework of peaceful settlement," he said.

The strong determination of the Presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, is the best guarantee that Moscow and Washington will continue to work to restore ties, said Dmitry Peskov.

He said that relations between Russia and the United States "were severely damaged during the previous administration."

"This is why, of course, it will take time and effort, supported by the will of the presidents of the two countries, to restore these relations. So far, this strong determination of the two presidents is probably the best guarantee that everyone will follow this path, both in America and in Russia," he told reporters.

Peskov also said that when discussing a new world order, Putin has consistently emphasized the need to establish relations on the global stage based on reciprocal respect, trust, and benefit.

"This is what is happening now," he said.

The hotline between the Russian and US presidents remains in place, and video communication can also be utilized if necessary, Dmitry Peskov, stated at the news briefing.

He pointed out that under the previous US president, Joe Biden, these communication channels were largely idle.

"There has long been direct communication and a hotline between the US and Russian presidents, as well as video communication when needed. This has been available to both heads of state for a considerable time. The previous US administration practically did not make use of this resource," Peskov said.

The Washington-Moscow hotline was established following the Cuban Missile Crisis to facilitate emergency communication between the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States. It began operating on August 30, 1963. During the Cold War, the hotline effectively served its purpose in urgent situations. However, in recent years, the presidents of Russia and the United States have opted for direct telephone communication when necessary. In 2016, media reports indicated that then-US president, Barack Obama allegedly used the "red telephone" to discuss concerns regarding cyber interference in the US election. The Kremlin, however, denied this claim, stating that the conversation took place over a regular encrypted line.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs