MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Sunday hailed dialogue between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin — two “extraordinary” presidents — as “promising”, and vowed it would “never” give up territory seized in eastern Ukraine.
Trump broke with Western policy earlier this month by phoning Putin to discuss how to end the Ukraine conflict — a call hailed by Moscow as ending three years of isolation for the Kremlin leader since he launched his full-scale offensive in February 2022.
Top Russian and US officials then met in Saudi Arabia last week to discuss a “restoration” of ties and start a discussion on a possible Ukraine ceasefire — all without the involvement of Kyiv or Europe.
“This is a dialogue between two extraordinary presidents,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state TV on Sunday.
“That’s promising,” he added.
“It is important that nothing prevents us from realising the political will of the two heads of state.”
Trump’s overtures to Moscow have triggered alarm in Kyiv and across Europe.
But it is unclear whether his moves will be able to bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to a truce.
Peskov on Sunday ruled out any territorial concessions as part of a settlement.
“The people decided to join Russia a long time ago,” he said, referring to Moscow-staged votes in eastern Ukraine held amid the offensive that were slammed as bogus by Kyiv, the West and international monitors.
“No one will ever sell off these territories. That’s the most important thing.”
Putin said God and fate had entrusted him and his army with “the mission” to defend Russia.
“Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so. A mission as difficult as it is honourable — defending Russia — has been placed on our and your shoulders together,” he told servicemen who have fought in Ukraine.
Russia was on Sunday marking “Defender of the Fatherland Day” — a holiday hailing soldiers and veterans — a day before the three-year anniversary of the start of its full-scale offensive.
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