The Kremlin has publicly endorsed Donald Trump's latest national security blueprint, describing it as a positive shift that closely mirrors Russia's own worldview. This approval comes as Washington's push to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine enters what US officials claim is a decisive, yet fragile, final stage.
Moscow's Welcome for a New American Tone
On Sunday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the adjustments outlined in a White House document published on Friday "correspond in many ways to our vision." The strategy is notably critical of the European Union, suggesting Europe faces "civilisational erasure," while expressing a clear desire to rebuild relations with Russia.
Peskov welcomed signals that the Trump administration favoured dialogue, but issued a cautionary note. He warned that the so-called US "deep state" might attempt to undermine the President's objectives.
A Fraught Path to Peace in Ukraine
This diplomatic manoeuvring unfolds against a backdrop of intensified military strikes in Ukraine and complex, high-stakes negotiations. US envoy Keith Kellogg said on Saturday that peace efforts were in "the last ten metres," with territory and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remaining key sticking points.
However, there is scant evidence that either Kyiv or Moscow is prepared to sign the framework agreement drafted by Trump's team, which includes envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Following a difficult two-hour call with US officials on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed his commitment to working "in good faith" for peace, but the core issue of security guarantees for Ukraine should it cede territory remains unresolved.
Zelenskyy's meeting on Monday in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is seen as crucial for consolidating European support, particularly at times when Washington has pressured Kyiv to make territorial concessions.
War Fatigue and Winter Threats
As Ukraine endures its fourth winter of full-scale invasion, exhaustion is deepening. The situation is compounded by a corruption scandal that has weakened Zelenskyy's administration, leading to the resignation of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on energy infrastructure continue to disrupt life for millions. A combined drone and missile strike hit the central city of Kremenchuk in the Poltava region, leaving much of the city without power and water on Sunday. This followed a massive barrage on Friday night involving over 600 drones and 50 missiles, and a separate drone attack in Chernihiv that killed one person on Saturday.
Analysts in Kyiv suggest that while Ukraine is not yet desperate enough to accept any deal, a difficult and potentially bleak winter lies ahead. The prospect of Western security guarantees strong enough to deter a future Russian invasion appears uncertain, and Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept any agreement involving Western troops on Ukrainian soil.
The Trump administration's optimism about a deal has been declared before, only to prove premature. With figures in Trump's orbit, like his son Donald Jr., accusing Zelenskyy of prolonging the war to stay in power and vowing to stop the US being "the idiot with the chequebook," the path to a sustainable peace remains fraught with profound challenges.
