Russia denies sending message to Trump on Kiev strikes, confirms Ukraine discussions in Kazakhstan

Russia did not convey any message from President Vladimir Putin to US leader Donald Trump regarding potential Russian military strikes on defense industry facilities in Kiev, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov during a press briefing in Astana on May 28. Ushakov stated that while Russia has issued public statements and conveyed recommendations to the United States "through appropriate channels" about systematic strikes on Kiev's defense sector, no direct presidential message has been transmitted to Trump on this matter, and no response has yet been received from the American side.

During his state visit to Kazakhstan, Putin discussed Ukraine in detail with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a friendly dinner the previous evening, though the topic was addressed only briefly during formal talks on May 28. Ushakov indicated that all agenda items for the state visit have been finalized with mutual agreement between the two nations. He emphasized that Moscow is awaiting specific steps from Kiev to advance negotiations, noting that Ukraine understands what actions are necessary for talks to proceed successfully but has not yet taken those steps.

Regarding broader diplomatic efforts, Ushakov suggested that Russia has matters to discuss with European partners, while acknowledging that the EU is still considering candidates for its negotiating team. He dismissed statements by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas regarding conditions for Russia to enter talks as "empty rhetoric that few people take seriously," while also questioning the accuracy of her claims about the evacuation of American diplomats from Kiev. The Kremlin aide confirmed that Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union will be discussed at the Eurasian Economic Union summit scheduled for May 29 in Astana.