Kremlin welcomes US stance against Ukraine’s NATO bid

On Monday, the Kremlin expressed approval of the current U.S. administration’s stance that rules out NATO membership for Ukraine. While refraining from commenting on Donald Trump’s recent optimism for a peace agreement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that this position aligns with Russia’s interests.

Trump, aiming to cement his legacy as a peacemaker, has emphasized ending what he calls the “bloodbath” of the Ukraine conflict. His administration has characterized the war as a U.S.-Russia proxy battle. Over the weekend, U.S. envoy General Keith Kellogg confirmed that Ukraine's potential NATO membership is no longer under consideration—something Trump has cited as a key trigger of the war.

“We’ve heard consistent statements from Washington dismissing Ukraine’s NATO membership. Naturally, this is satisfactory and matches our perspective,” Peskov said. He further explained that Ukraine joining the alliance would be a direct threat to Russian interests and is one of the underlying causes of the conflict.

The war, initiated by President Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, marks the most severe standoff between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. Western leaders, including former President Joe Biden, have labeled the invasion a modern imperial conquest and vowed to defeat Russian aggression.

Putin, however, views the war as a turning point in Russia’s relations with the West, blaming NATO’s post-Soviet expansion for humiliating Russia and violating its sphere of influence. Back in 2008, NATO pledged future membership to both Ukraine and Georgia. In 2019, Ukraine amended its constitution to pursue full NATO and EU membership.

Putin has consistently said that Russia is open to peace if Ukraine renounces its NATO goals and retreats from four contested regions currently under partial Russian control. Trump recently voiced hope that a peace deal could be reached within days, adding that both Russia and Ukraine would then benefit from strong economic ties with a thriving U.S.

Russia’s rouble climbed to its strongest level since mid-2024, trading near 80 per U.S. dollar, buoyed by peace expectations and a 40% gain since January.

When asked about Trump’s comments, Peskov declined to speculate on timing but confirmed Russia’s continued openness to a peaceful resolution and ongoing communication with the U.S.