Egypt Daily News – The Kremlin stated that it expects to receive clarifications during its communications with the United States regarding remarks made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance about the potential use of “military” pressure on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a peace deal with Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described these statements as a new element in Washington’s stance, adding that Moscow is seeking explanations from the U.S. administration.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the West of supporting Kyiv in what she described as its crimes, asserting that Western nations will not be able to escape responsibility for their actions.
This comes after Washington threatened to impose sanctions and hinted at possible military action against Russia if it does not engage in peace negotiations with Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv has demanded security guarantees as a prerequisite for any settlement with Moscow.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the United States would impose sanctions on Russia and could take military action if President Putin refuses a peace agreement with Ukraine.
He added that the option of deploying U.S. troops to Ukraine remains on the table if Moscow does not negotiate in good faith.
Vance also noted that it is too early to determine how much Ukrainian territory will remain under Russian control or what security guarantees the U.S. and its Western allies could provide to Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American and Russian officials would meet in Munich today, Friday, adding that Ukraine had also been invited. This comes amid European concerns about being sidelined in any negotiations, while Kyiv announced that it does not plan to attend the meeting.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “They will hold a meeting in Munich on Friday. Russia will be there along with our officials, and Ukraine has also been invited. I’m not sure who exactly will attend from each country, but important figures from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States will be present.”
Trump had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than an hour on Wednesday, marking the first known direct contact between a U.S. and Russian president since Putin spoke with Joe Biden shortly before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.
Russia Forms Negotiation Team
In Moscow, the Kremlin announced that it has begun working on forming a committee to conduct the anticipated negotiations with Washington. This follows Thursday’s announcement that preparations were underway for talks with the United States regarding Ukraine, which Russia stated would participate in the peace negotiations “one way or another.” However, there will also be a separate U.S.-Russia negotiation track.
The Kremlin expressed admiration for Trump’s stance on ending the war in Ukraine and confirmed that preparations are ongoing for a meeting between Putin and Trump.
Additionally, the Kremlin stated that Putin and Trump had agreed to hold a bilateral meeting and had instructed their aides to begin immediate preparations for high-level talks.
The Kremlin denied that the two presidents had discussed lifting sanctions or recognizing Crimea, Sevastopol, and the four newly annexed regions during their phone call.
It also confirmed that no ceasefire agreements would be made before the Putin-Trump meeting, emphasizing the need to organize the meeting as soon as possible.
No Agreement Yet on Negotiation Framework
The Kremlin added that there is still no understanding regarding the format of the negotiation process and that it is too early to discuss Europe’s participation.
Ukrainian Demands
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country would not accept any bilateral agreements regarding its fate that Russia and the United States might reach without Kyiv’s involvement.
Regarding his phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky said, “I told President Trump that it is impossible to reach a settlement without security guarantees. I do not trust Putin, but if Trump can force him to end the war, we will welcome that.”
He emphasized, “We must agree on the security guarantees we need. We want to see NATO in Kyiv, along with American and European weapons and troops.”
Zelensky acknowledged that “the Americans do not want us to become a NATO member,” but pointed out that the U.S. covers 20% of the war costs and remains one of Ukraine’s main financial backers. He also highlighted Ukraine’s urgent need to double its military forces, while facing a funding shortfall estimated between $15 billion and $40 billion.
Europe and NATO’s Position
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas stated—on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting—that “there can be no agreement on Ukraine without consulting or involving the European Union.”
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that the alliance seeks negotiations to end the war in Ukraine in a way that prevents a return to hostilities.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Rutte said that “all NATO allies are united in their commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” He also stressed that any outcome “must not be seen as a loss for the West.”
