The Kremlin Calls President Trump's Statement About Ukraine In Line With Russia's View

JAKARTA - The Kremlin on Wednesday said the latest statement by US President Donald Trump about Ukraine - in which he said Moscow would win the war and Kyiv should give up territory - was in line with Russia's views.

In an interview with Politico, President Trump also said European leaders were "weak" and called on Volodymyr Zelensky from Ukraine to hold elections, in a statement that worried Kyiv and Europe.

"In many ways, regarding NATO membership, regarding territory, about how Ukraine lost territory, it is in line with our understanding," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov later called President Trump's comments "very important."

President Trump said Russia had a stronger bargaining position in talks to end the war because of the country's size, saying Ukraine would never join NATO.

After the interview, President Zelensky said he was ready to hold a new general election in Ukraine as long as security was guaranteed.

The Moscow attack - which prompted Kyiv to impose a military emergency - has made holding elections in the country impossible under Ukrainian law.

Russia has long called for Zelensky's resignation from office, calling him an illegitimate leader.

"We will see how this event will take place," Peskov said of President Zelensky's announcement.

The United States itself has intensified its talks with Russia and Ukraine to end the worst conflict in Europe since World War II.

In an interview with Politico, President Trump said reaching the deal was "difficult" and that one of the reasons was the level of hatred between Putin and Zelensky was enormous."