'Certainly need time to analyse': Kremlin says Trump statements on Russia and Putin are serious

The Kremlin on Tuesday described recent comments made by US President Donald Trump,  including a threat of sanctions on buyers of Russian exports,  as “serious” and said they warranted careful analysis.

The remarks came in response to a significant policy shift by President Trump, who on Monday announced the delivery of new weapons to Ukraine and threatened sanctions on countries that continue to purchase Russian exports.

The move is seen as a signal of growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a renewed push to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a peace deal over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“I’m disappointed in him (Putin), but I’m not done with him. But I’m disappointed in him,” BBC quoted Trump, who has said he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, as saying.

Asked about Trump’s recent statements, Reuters quoted Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying, “The US president’s statements are very serious. Some of them are addressed personally to President Putin.”

“We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment,” he added.

Peskov, seemingly in reference to reports of new weapons shipments to Kyiv, added: “Decisions which are being made in Washington, in Nato countries, and squarely in Brussels, are perceived by the Ukrainian side not as a signal for peace, but as a signal to continue the war.”

He reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to pursue direct negotiations with Ukraine, stating that Moscow remained prepared for further talks and was still awaiting a response from Kyiv on when discussions could resume.

With inputs from agencies