Just hours after the United States, together with Russia, voted in favor of a resolution at the United Nations that shields Vladimir Putin from criticism for the war in Ukraine, and President Donald Trump gave assurances that the Russian leader agreed to the entry of European forces into Ukraine, Moscow denied his statement.
Yesterday, when asked about Trump's claim that Russia was open to deploying a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, the Kremlin referred reporters to an earlier statement that such a move would be unacceptable to Moscow.
Russia has repeatedly stated that it opposes the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week that Moscow would consider it a "direct threat" to Russia's sovereignty, even if the troops were operating there under a different flag.
Asked about Trump's comment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from publicly challenging the US president's statement, but essentially reiterated Russia's opposition to the idea.
"There is a position on this issue that was expressed by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. I have nothing to add or comment on. I leave this without comment," Peskov said.
Trump said on Monday, during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, that both he and Putin had accepted the idea of a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine if an agreement was reached to end the war.
"Yes, he will accept it," Trump said. "I asked him that specific question. He has no problem with that."
Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, did not directly respond to the Kremlin's comment yesterday, saying that the Trump administration would continue to work with Moscow and Kiev to end the war.
"President Trump's commitment to ending this brutal, bloody war and then establishing a framework for lasting peace will not be negotiable through the media," Hughes said.
“The Trump administration knows that keeping the peace requires greater European engagement, and we have heard leaders like President Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, among others, offer to take a greater role. We continue to work with Russia and Ukraine to achieve peace, because you can’t end a war without talks on both sides.”
Putin's acceptance of European forces in Ukraine would represent a surprising shift in Russian thinking. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) warned last year that the West could try to "essentially occupy Ukraine" under the pretext of deploying peacekeepers, according to The Guardian.
The British newspaper also points out that the current uncertainty is further increasing fears in Europe that the United States does not have a fully developed plan for a ceasefire or that it has set unrealistic expectations regarding Trump's ability to force Putin to compromise.
Macron and Trump’s meeting on Monday appeared cordial, even as the French president smiled and corrected the US leader during their joint appearance. “The mix of flattery and mild resistance is an example of how some European leaders are trying to approach America at this tense moment,” the New York Times said.
Macron corrected Trump's claim that European countries provided all of their aid to Ukraine in the form of loans, saying that the countries gave "real money, let's be clear."
However, the smiles and handshakes between Macron and Trump could not hide the fact that 200 miles north of Washington, at the UN headquarters in New York, the US wanted to demonstrate solidarity with Russia, not Europe, the Guardian points out.
At the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, the US unsuccessfully tried to oppose a resolution demanding Russia's withdrawal from Ukraine. However, in the Security Council, Washington secured the adoption of a resolution calling for peace, without attributing blame for the war.
Commenting on the outcome of the vote in the Security Council, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said yesterday that it shows that the causes of the war in Ukraine are "being better understood".
Emmanuel Macron's visit is part of a flurry of European diplomatic activity in Washington this week. British Prime Minister Starmer is expected to meet with Trump on Thursday, while the European Union's high representative, Kaia Kallas, will hold a series of meetings with US administration officials.
Starmer said yesterday that Britain would increase annual defense spending to 2027% of GDP by 2,5, aiming to reach the 3% level last seen just after the Cold War. This message, according to Reuters, is a signal to Trump that the United Kingdom can contribute to strengthening Europe's security.
With public spending already stretched, Starmer said the increase in defence spending from the current 2,3% would be entirely financed by a 40% cut in international aid. He said he was not happy with the decision but that it was necessary to support Ukraine and Europe in a “new era”.
Starmer is heading to Washington with the aim of convincing Trump that Europe will provide support and security guarantees to Kiev if peace talks with Russia are successful.
The British leader has said he is open to British troops, along with other European nations, providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
Starmer also wants some kind of American “backing” for any European security guarantee, stressing that this will be key to deterring Russia from launching another invasion in the next few years.
"The United States is our most important bilateral ally," he said. "That's why this Sunday, when I meet with President Trump, I will make it clear that I want this relationship to grow stronger."
Bonus video:
