Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently downplayed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s bold claim that he could bring an end to the Ukraine war within 24 hours if re-elected. In a candid interview with Russian TV reporter Pavel Zarubin, Peskov appeared dismissive of Trump’s assertion, emphasizing that such a quick resolution is not grounded in reality. He characterized Trump’s promise as overly simplistic, pointing out the complexities of the conflict and suggesting that it is unrealistic to believe that any U.S. president could swiftly resolve the crisis merely through an inauguration day announcement.
Peskov's remarks also ventured into the broader landscape of U.S.-Russia relations, which he described as being at a historic low point. He noted that Russia views U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris as a more predictable figure compared to Trump, a sentiment echoed by President Vladimir Putin in the past. Despite previous indications that Russia might have preferred Joe Biden over Trump due to Biden’s experience and "old school" political approach, Peskov now reiterated that Moscow does not have a preferred candidate in the upcoming U.S. election. However, he underscored that Democrats, including Harris, are generally considered more predictable in their actions and policies, which is a trait Moscow finds more manageable.
Peskov’s comments also reflected a broader disillusionment with the possibility of improving U.S.-Russia relations, regardless of who occupies the White House. He expressed a grim outlook, stating that there are no prospects at the moment for resetting the strained relations between the two nations. According to Peskov, the current trajectory of U.S. policies, particularly those that "trample on our country's interests," as he put it, has exceeded acceptable limits, making any near-term diplomatic recovery unlikely.
He also dismissed the notion that the next U.S. president could single-handedly change the course of the Ukraine conflict by withdrawing military support and initiating peace talks. Peskov labeled such an idea as "fantasy," pointing out that the situation in Ukraine is deeply entrenched and cannot be resolved through a simple change in U.S. policy. He implied that even if Washington were to halt its military aid to Kyiv, it would not immediately alter the strategic calculations or mindsets within the Ukrainian leadership, underscoring the complex and multifaceted nature of the ongoing conflict.
