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A senior Kremlin representative has commended President Donald Trump for his leadership, highlighting his commitment to fostering peace in Ukraine. The official emphasized that renewed dialogue between Moscow and Washington has been fruitful.
In a statement, Dmitry Medvedev, who serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and is also a former president, asserted that Trump is earnestly working towards ending the conflict in Ukraine, driven by a desire to be seen as a peacemaker in historical records.
“Trump aspires to be remembered as a peacemaker — and he is sincerely making efforts in this direction,” Medvedev remarked during an interview with Reuters. “This is why our interactions with the Americans have become notably more effective.”
President Trump has consistently expressed optimism about the proximity of a peace agreement to resolve the conflict. During a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reported having “productive and constructive discussions” with Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, as part of the ongoing initiatives by the Trump administration to conclude the Russia-Ukraine war.
Dmitry Medvedev took part in an interview with Reuters, TASS, and WarGonzo in the Moscow region, Russia, on January 29, 2026. (Dmitry Medvedev’s Secretariat/Handout via Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that a new round of talks involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia will take place this week in Abu Dhabi. His announcement comes as Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy and logistics infrastructure, worsening conditions for civilians as winter temperatures plunge.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press conference in Kyiv on Feb. 10, 2025. (Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images)
Medvedev dismissed speculation that Trump is secretly aligned with Moscow, telling the outlet that Americans elected him and Russia respects that choice. He also praised Trump for standing up to the U.S. political establishment and said his blunt, sometimes “brash” style is misunderstood.
“He is an emotional person, but on the other hand, the chaos that is commonly referred to, which is created by his activities, is not entirely true,” Medvedev said. “It is obvious that behind this lies a completely conscious and competent line.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and President Donald Trump meet at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2026. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)
Medvedev told the outlet that Trump’s background as a businessman shapes his approach, joking that there is no such thing as a former businessman, an echo of a well-known Russian saying about former KGB agents.
Medvedev, a hardliner within Russia’s leadership, has frequently warned of nuclear escalation since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. He has stressed that avoiding further conflict remains the priority, but still expects Russia to achieve military victory in Ukraine.
“I would like this to happen as soon as possible,” Medvedev said of ending the conflict. “But it is equally important to think about what will happen next. The goal of victory is to prevent new conflicts.”