Dmitry Peskov says Ukraine is "already a different country" in terms of geography
Dmitry PeskovKremlin spokesman, at a news briefing in Moscow
Asked about Trump's remark that Ukraine will have a different shape after the war, Peskov says Ukraine is already a different country geographically and that the realities on the ground are obvious.
Responding to
A deal to end the war in Ukraine is close, and Ukraine will "end up with a little bit different shape" once it is done.
“As for the shape of Ukraine, in terms of geography it is already a different country. The realities on the ground are obvious, and hardly anyone can deny them”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Trump says Ukraine will "end up with a little bit different shape" after the war and the U.S. "got nothing" for its weapons; the Kremlin agrees, and Zelenskyy rejects ceding land
In an interview with Ross Douthat broadcast on CBS's 60 Minutes on November 8, 2026, President Donald Trump said the United States had supplied Ukraine with "the best weapons on Earth" and "got nothing for it." When Douthat said the United States got Ukrainian independence, Trump said it had not gotten that yet. Asked whether he expected a free and independent Ukraine, he said a deal would happen and Ukraine would "end up with a little bit different shape." He also said that when Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy first met, "there was great disrespect shown to Russia." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine is already a different country in terms of geography. Zelenskyy told Danish broadcaster DR that he did not know what Trump meant and was not ready for that kind of surprise, and argued that ceding Donbas would not stop Putin. Retired Adm. James Stavridis said the remark sounded ominous and pointed to a land-for-peace deal. Michael McFaul, Guy Benson and David Sanger criticized the remark about disrespect to Russia.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Anadolu Agency report, carried by A News, on Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's November 9, 2026 news briefing in Moscow, where he was asked about Trump's remark on Ukraine's shape and about the Abu Dhabi talks.
Before the quotation
Speaking at a news briefing in Moscow, Peskov was responding to Trump's remark that Ukraine would have a slightly different shape after negotiations to end the war.
After the quotation
Peskov goes on to say that the talks in Abu Dhabi in the coming days will be trilateral negotiations between Russia and Ukraine with U.S. mediation, and that the Americans and Ukrainians have their own channels to the Europeans.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Peskov agrees with the remark, saying Ukraine has already changed shape in terms of geography and that no one can deny the realities on the ground. He backs the premise that Ukraine's borders have changed.
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Read the full caseZelenskyy says ceding Ukrainian land for peace is "just abstract words" and Putin would come back
“Ceding Ukrainian land for peace is just abstract words. It’s not only about reality, even more about philosophy. Putin was talking about Donbas, but then he decided to occupy Kyiv, our capital. ... Nobody trusts Putin to stop if we leave Donbas. He will pause. Then he will come back in one year, two years, or five years.”Read statement
David Sanger says Trump has "gone out of his way to excuse or diminish what Russia has done"
“the President has gone out of his way to excuse or diminish what Russia has done. You notice there that he didn't jump in and say, yes, Russia invaded Ukraine and violated their sovereignty. And there's something of an imbalance between somebody invading your country and you being rude to them when you meet them for the first time after they've invaded your country, right?”Read statement
James Stavridis says Trump's remark on Ukraine's shape "sounds ominous" and points to a land-for-peace deal he hates
“Well, it sounds ominous. What it probably portends is the 20 percent, roughly, of Ukraine that Putin is currently in control of, the eastern slice that connects Crimea up to the Rodina, the motherland, as the Russians say, about 20 percent. It's kind of a trade land for peace deal, if you will. Certainly, Zelenskyy will hate that deal. I hate that deal. We all should hate that deal.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Dmitry Peskov says Ukraine is "already a different country" in terms of geography". First published: 2026-11-15. Last updated: 2026-11-15. https://disputeindex.com/events/9022-asked-about-trump-s-remark-that-ukraine-will