The Kremlin has dismissed reports of a recent conversation between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “pure fiction.” The report, initially published by The Washington Post, claimed that Trump, who has frequently criticized the extent of U.S. military and financial support for Ukraine, allegedly spoke with Putin to caution him against further escalating the conflict in Ukraine. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted no such call took place, describing the story as "completely untrue" and an example of false information appearing in otherwise reputable sources.
The speculation over Trump's potential influence on U.S.-Russia relations comes as President Joe Biden prepares to meet with Trump at the White House on Wednesday. Biden, who remains committed to supporting Ukraine as it defends against Russia's invasion, is expected to stress the importance of maintaining strong U.S. assistance for Ukraine. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan indicated that Biden will emphasize the need for a peaceful transfer of power, while also underscoring the global stakes of U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided billions of dollars in military and economic support to Ukraine. However, Trump has long criticized this aid, arguing that U.S. resources should focus on domestic issues rather than foreign sovereignty. Trump, who recently won the U.S. presidential election, has claimed that if he had been in office, he would have prevented the conflict and has suggested that Ukraine may need to make territorial concessions to achieve peace, a stance opposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy recently stated that he was unaware of Trump’s specific plans to end the war but expressed concerns that any quick resolution could come with considerable concessions for Ukraine.
The support Ukraine receives may shift significantly once Trump takes office, as Republicans are projected to control the U.S. Senate with a 52-seat majority and may win control of the House of Representatives. While the current Congress, under Biden, allocated substantial funds to aid Ukraine, the pace of assistance is expected to slow. In a recent interview, Republican Senator Bill Hagerty, a close Trump ally and possible contender for Secretary of State, reiterated this stance, saying that U.S. funds should prioritize protecting American sovereignty over foreign commitments.
As Biden works to reinforce U.S. support for Ukraine, he may urge Congress to authorize additional aid before the new administration takes over. Sullivan has not outlined a specific proposal, but Biden is expected to argue that ongoing resources for Ukraine are crucial to maintaining stability in Europe and safeguarding broader American interests.
