Kremlin Accuses Europeans of 'Pumping' Trump at G7
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- Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said on June 18, 2026 that European leaders had 'pumped' Trump with 'harmful ideas' at this week's G7 summit, claiming the Europeans were exercising 'an unhelpful influence'
- Ushakov also described Trump as 'a strong politician and sticks to his views,' saying Trump 'commented on some things and kept other things to himself' — a dual message that left the outcome uncertain
- Trump told Zelenskyy at a Tuesday meeting that Russia should make peace with Ukraine, calling it 'very good,' comments that sparked cautious optimism among G7 leaders that a peace deal could be struck
- Ushakov claimed Trump had been 'misinformed' about the state of affairs in Ukraine, dismissing reports that Ukraine's drone incursions deep into Russia had improved its battlefield fortunes as 'categorically not true'
- Zelenskyy and his European allies had impressed upon Trump at the summit that Ukraine's battlefield position had improved thanks to those deep drone strikes into Russian territory
- Moscow is still expecting a visit from Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, though Ushakov confirmed no date has yet been set for the trip
Why it matters: The Kremlin's split messaging — blasting European influence while flattering Trump as 'strong' — keeps Moscow's diplomatic options open without endorsing Ukraine's claimed battlefield gains. With no date yet set for the Witkoff-Kushner visit, the pace of any real peace effort stays firmly in Moscow's hands despite the G7's cautious optimism.
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