In a recent social media post, Donald Trump announced a call he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to align the demands of both Russia and Ukraine to establish a ceasefire. Trump expressed optimism, stating that the discussions were progressing well and he has requested further updates from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was sceptical, calling Putin’s promises unrealistic, especially after witnessing drone attacks on Ukraine following Trump’s conversation with Putin. Zelenskyy reported that 150 drones were launched overnight, indicating persistent aggression.
In response, the Kremlin claimed it had stopped targeting Ukrainian energy facilities but accused Ukraine of attacking its infrastructure. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that Kyiv was not reciprocating Russia’s ceasefire offers.
The White House characterised Trump’s call as an initial step toward peace, potentially involving a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. Yet, Putin maintained his conditions for peace, which Ukraine staunchly opposes. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War described Putin’s demands as tantamount to forcing Ukrainian capitulation, asserting that Russia is using the temporary ceasefire proposal to gain concessions before actual negotiations commence.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb acknowledged the talks as a positive development but insisted that Russia must cease its aggression completely. He pointed out that a response to the U.S. President’s proposal must be unequivocal, without conditions. Stubb emphasised that Ukraine accepted a ceasefire unconditionally and urged that pressure on Russia should increase if it declined.
Meanwhile, the tensions continued as air raid sirens blared in Kyiv shortly after the Trump-Putin talk, followed by explosions targeting civilian areas, including hospitals and housing. Both parties accused each other of initiating hostilities, with Russia alleging that Ukraine attacked its energy facilities.
Zelenskyy rejected the notion of halting Western military aid to Ukraine, arguing it would jeopardise lives and prolong the conflict. He advocated for enhanced support for Ukraine as a deterrent to Russian aggression.
Analyst Nigel Gould-Davies pointed out that it was not surprising for Putin to reject the ceasefire directly after Trump’s outreach, as ending the war has become a top priority for the U.S. president. The rivalry for influence, wherein both Kyiv and Moscow attempt to persuade Trump that the other is obstructing peace efforts, continues to complicate the situation. Zelenskyy acknowledged that future negotiations would likely face challenges regarding territorial concessions, marking these regions as crucial red lines for Ukraine.