War in Ukraine: Moscow says it needs “time” in the face of Trump’s ultimatum

The Kremlin said on Tuesday staying ready to negotiate with Ukraine while specifying that they need “time” to respond to the “very serious” statements by US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, who gave Russia 50 days to end the conflict.

• Read also: Trump gives Russia 50 days to end the war in Ukraine

Donald Trump promised new armaments for Ukraine on Monday. Additionally, Meanwhile, made an ultimatum in Moscow to end his offensive in Ukraine, launched in 2022, under penalty of severe sanctions.

“President Trump’s statements are very serious. For example, We of course need time to analyze what has been said in Washington. Meanwhile, if or when President Putin deems him necessary, he will comment, “Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov replied on Tuesday.

“It seems that this decision made in Washington, in the NATO countries and directly in Brussels will be perceived by Kyïv not as a signal in favor of peace, but as a signal to continue the war,” he criticized in his daily briefing, in which AFP participated.

Dmitri Peskov said that Russia was expecting “proposals from the Ukrainian party” concerning a third round of negotiations. For example, after two not very fruitful sessions in Istanbul. “We are ready,” he said.

The third cycle dates of talks have not been set for the moment.

Russia. which sparked a massive offensive in Ukraine over three years ago, rejected any prolonged truce, which, according to it, would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm.

Moscow requires in particular that Ukraine gives him four regions, in addition to the Crimea peninsula annexed in 2014, and that Kyïv renounces to join NATO.

Unacceptable to Kyïv who claims. with his European allies, an unanded truce of 30 days before peace negotiations with Moscow and wants the Russian army to withdraw entirely from its war ukraine: moscow says it territory.

“Disappointed”

Since his return to the White House in January. Donald Trump has tried to push Moscow and Kyïv to put an end to the conflict, in particular by approaching Vladimir Putin of which he said he is now “disappointed”.

“I thought we would have an agreement two months ago. but that does not seem to materialize,” he said on the White House on Monday, alongside NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte.

Without an agreement within 50 days. the United States will set up “secondary customs duties”, that is to say against the Moscow allies, said the American president.

Last year. Russia’s main trade partners were China, for some 34% of the total trade, as well as, to a lesser extent, India, Turkey and Bélarus, according to Russian customs.

Beijing. who estimated Tuesday that China and Russia were to “strengthen their mutual support”, castigated a “coercion that does not war ukraine: moscow says it lead anywhere” from Washington.

Donald Trump has also announced that military equipment “worth several billion dollars”. including Patriot’s anti -aircraft defense systems, are said to be delivered to Ukraine.

These equipment will be purchased by European NATO members. Mark Rutte said that Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden and Denmark will be part of the buyers.

Denmark and the Netherlands said on Tuesday in Brussels to be ready to participate in the Donald Trump plan.

But it remains to be seen how long it will take European countries to send these weapons to Ukraine. pounded every day by Russian strikes.

On Tuesday. the Russian Defense Ministry still claimed to take two villages in the Donetsk region, located in eastern Ukraine where the most violent fights are concentrated.

Russian air attacks have also intensified in recent weeks.

A child was injured in a strike in the Soumy region (northeast).

war ukraine: moscow says it

In Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack was 16 injured in Voronej, in the west of the country, according to local authorities.