Putin rejects peace talks with Ukraine in call with Trump — Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected resuming peace talks with Ukraine during an Oct. 9 phone call with President Trump, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, saying Moscow will fight 'until it achieves all its stated goals.' Ushakov says Trump congratulated Putin on his birthday and passed along greetings from the first lady before the two discussed the war.

Putin reportedly accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt Russian elections and claimed, per the Kremlin's account, that Russian troops 'fully hold the initiative.' Ushakov said Trump ordered that 'signals' from the call be passed to Ukraine. The call followed Trump's agreement to let Russian diesel fuel back onto world markets, a decision Zelenskyy said only emboldens Putin.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.