Kremlin Reacts to Report Trump Told Allies Putin Is 'Winning'

 

Kremlin Reacts to Report Trump Told Europe: "Putin Thinks He’s Winning in Ukraine"

The Kremlin on Thursday responded to reports that former President Donald Trump told European leaders Russian President Vladimir Putin believes he is winning the war in Ukraine.

 

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump made the comment after a two-hour phone call with Putin — part of Washington’s latest attempt to support peace efforts in the ongoing conflict, now entering its third year. Following the call, Trump reportedly indicated that the United States would step back from leading peace negotiations, raising concerns that a major breakthrough in talks is unlikely.

 

Senior European officials told the Journal that Trump informed leaders Putin “isn’t ready to end the Ukraine war because he thinks he is winning.”

The call, held Monday, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

 

One participant said Trump opened the discussion by stating, “I think Vladimir does not want peace.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded by dismissing the media reports. “We know what Trump told President Putin. But we cannot verify what he said to the Europeans afterward. We only recognize the official statements made by Trump,” Peskov said.

 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later addressed Trump’s remarks. “Yes, he did say he believes Putin is currently winning the war,” Leavitt confirmed. “However, he did not claim that Putin is unwilling to end it.” She added that Trump repeatedly said he believes “Putin wants peace and wants the war to end.”

 

Despite that clarification, European leaders voiced concern that Trump may have handed Putin a strategic advantage by signaling that the U.S. will no longer lead mediation efforts or push for new sanctions. Kyiv and its allies continue urging Washington to maintain pressure on Moscow through military aid and punitive measures, arguing that only sustained external pressure will force Putin to negotiate in good faith.

 

The Journal also reported that ahead of Sunday’s call with Putin, Trump had floated the possibility of new sanctions if Russia refused to de-escalate. But by Monday, his position had shifted. Instead of sanctions, Trump suggested resuming lower-level peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, potentially hosted by the Vatican.

 

Speaking to reporters Monday, Trump remarked, “This isn’t my war. We got pulled into something we should never have been involved in.”

President Zelensky responded firmly, saying, “It is essential the United States does not withdraw from its leadership role in the peace process. The only beneficiary of disengagement is Putin.”

 

Peskov reiterated Moscow’s position that negotiations will not be rushed. “There are no deadlines, and there cannot be any. Everyone wants a resolution, but the issues are complex,” he said.

Swedish economist Anders Åslund, a former advisor to both Russian and Ukrainian governments, told Newsweek, “When it comes to Russia, Trump behaves like a junior partner to Putin—echoing Moscow’s position while avoiding substantive criticism. His resistance is mostly cosmetic.”

 

“Let’s be clear—Trump is a friend and ally to Putin,” Åslund added. “The bigger question is whether U.S. institutions can still serve as a check on him. European leaders are shocked to see America stepping back from its traditional leadership.”

 

While Trump claimed direct Russia-Ukraine talks would resume “immediately,” the Kremlin emphasized that no such timeline exists, reaffirming: “There are no deadlines, and there cannot be any.”