Kremlin says Putin 'open to dialogue' with Trump despite no call

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to dialogue with US President Donald Trump despite no telephone contact taking place following the American leader's visit to Ankara for the NATO summit.

No call after Ankara summit

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that Trump had not reached out to the Russian leader after returning from the capital, where he attended the 36th NATO Summit and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Mr. Trump was apparently very busy after all the contacts in Ankara, so no one called yesterday," Peskov said during a press briefing. He noted that Putin maintains a "truly constructive dialogue, despite certain differences that may exist" with the US president and is "always happy" to speak with him.

Speaking alongside Zelenskyy on Wednesday, Trump stated that both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders seek to end the ongoing war, adding that Washington stands ready to "close the skies" over Ukraine as part of security guarantees for Kyiv should it prove necessary. The US president also indicated that his administration would provide Ukraine with a license to manufacture Patriot missiles domestically, remarking: "This way you can't complain that we're not giving them enough."

Moscow warns against escalation

Peskov responded to Trump's remarks by stating that continued American weapons supplies to Kyiv demonstrate a "certain duality" in Washington's position. "But unlike other countries involved in this conflict, the US remains committed and continues to try to somehow facilitate the peace process," he said, adding that Moscow evaluates all statements through this prism. He emphasized that Russia is not viewing the situation through "rose-colored glasses" regarding military assistance to Ukraine.

The spokesman warned that any readiness to "close the skies" implies NATO military activity on Ukrainian territory, which he cited as the reason Russia continues its "special military operation." He further cautioned that "further escalation" could prolong the conflict and would necessitate the creation of a "larger buffer zone" by Russian forces. "Therefore, escalating tensions and escalatory actions will in no way contribute to the peace process," Peskov added.