Photo: ERA
Moscow, 11 March – The Kremlin has urged Russians not to be too optimistic about the latest moves by the Donald Trump administration towards Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, speaking at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, warned that the US decision to suspend military aid to Kyiv and the possible disconnection of Starlink to the Ukrainian military did not automatically mean a benefit for Russia.
“Don’t rush to put on rose-coloured glasses,” Peskov said. “You should always hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. And always be ready to defend your interests.”
Reuters reports that Peskov’s statements came at a time when a key meeting between US and Ukrainian officials was to take place in Saudi Arabia. One of the main goals of this meeting will be to determine Kyiv’s readiness to make concessions to Moscow to end the war.
Moscow does not believe in a quick change in the situation
Peskov stressed that Russia achieves its goals on the battlefield, regardless of what decisions are made in Washington. According to him, Ukraine already has enough weapons to continue the war for several more months, even if the US completely stops supplying them.
This admission contrasts with Russian propaganda claims that the Ukrainian army would quickly weaken without American assistance. In fact, the Kremlin acknowledges that Kyiv can continue to resist even if Western support is reduced.
Is Trump really changing course?
Peskov’s warning reflects the Kremlin’s concern that the US strategy towards Ukraine may remain unpredictable, even after the change of administration in Washington.
Trump recently stopped supplying weapons to Kyiv, but at the same time he sent a delegation to Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to end the war. The Kremlin understands that these talks could lay the groundwork for a new political format instead of a purely military scenario.
Moscow fears that Trump, despite his tough rhetoric, could use the talks to shift the responsibility for finding peace to Ukraine and force the Kremlin to make new strategic decisions.
What’s next?
The meeting in Saudi Arabia could be an important milestone in the negotiations between Ukraine and the US, and the Kremlin’s statements show Moscow’s nervousness about a possible shift in the balance of power.
Is Trump really ready to weaken Kyiv’s support to the extent that it would significantly change the situation on the frontline, or is this just a tactical move to strengthen his own position with his allies?
The Kremlin is still in a standby mode, not hiding its scepticism about any “drastic changes” in US policy.
