• Kremlin expresses satisfaction with U.S. ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine.
• Kremlin spokesman states that Ukraine's NATO membership threatens Russian national interests.
• Trump expresses hope for peace deal between Russia and Ukraine this week.

The Kremlin has voiced its satisfaction with the U.S. administration’s recent position that NATO membership for Ukraine is not a viable option. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “We have heard from Washington at various levels that Ukraine's membership in NATO is excluded; this is something that causes us satisfaction and coincides with our position”... according to Reuters, aa, trtglobal, and scmp.

Peskov emphasized that any prospect of Ukraine joining NATO would pose a “threat to the national interests of the Russian Federation” and cited this as one of the root causes of the ongoing conflict. He reiterated Russia's stance that the integration of Ukraine into NATO must be prevented... according to Reuters and aa.

U.S. envoy General Keith Kellogg reiterated that NATO membership for Ukraine is indeed “off the table,” aligning his statements with President Trump’s views. Trump had previously indicated that U.S. support for such membership has been a significant factor in the deterioration of relations and the escalation of the conflict in the region... according to trtglobal and scmp.

In a recent statement, Trump expressed hope that both Russia and Ukraine could reach an agreement this week to put an end to the conflict, emphasizing the potential for economic benefits for both countries... according to Reuters, aa, trtglobal, and scmp.

Peskov added that talks regarding a peaceful resolution are ongoing, albeit discreetly, with hopes that the negotiations will bring concrete results. He refrained from commenting on a Bloomberg report suggesting potential recognition of Russian control over Crimea in a peace deal... according to Reuters, aa, trtglobal, and scmp.