The Kremlin on Oct. 16 told reporters it “fully agree[d]” with U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of Volodymyr Zelensky, marking a rare public alignment in the kremlin reaction to trump ukraine policy, spokespeople said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a daily briefing that “the fact that Zelensky doesn’t want to take responsibility and enter a peaceful settlement process is unambiguous,” and added, “Here, we fully agree with President Trump’s point of view,” according to The Moscow Times.
Trump made the comments in an interview with Newsmax on Oct. 15, saying “He doesn’t want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn’t,” and that a settlement might only come after Zelensky leaves office, the Moscow Times reported; that interview is the factual basis for the Kremlin reaction to trump ukraine policy cited by Peskov.
European leaders at a Brussels summit pushed back publicly against the widening rift between Washington and Kyiv, offering support to Zelensky even as officials privately weigh how his public criticism of Trump could affect diplomatic talks, WION reported.
The kremlin reaction to trump ukraine policy follows months of diplomatic friction after an energy ceasefire and other negotiations; both sources note the comment sits alongside ongoing disputes over ceasefire terms and control of the Donetsk region.
Why it matters: the public endorsement from Moscow gives Trump’s remarks an immediate geopolitical echo in coverage and could complicate Kyiv’s ties with Western partners, analysts and leaders warned in reporting that accompanied the statements.
Sources
- The Moscow Times — Peskov’s briefing, Trump’s Newsmax interview quotes, and context on ceasefire and Donetsk timeline.
- WION — reporting on Kremlin comments, European leaders’ response, and related developments around the energy ceasefire.
