Zelensky Warns Russia’s Ceasefire Refusal ‘Complicates’ Talks Ahead of Trump Meeting
Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia’s rejection of an immediate ceasefire “complicates the situation” as President Donald Trump and European leaders pivoted to align with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand for a comprehensive peace agreement in Ukraine.
Kyiv and its allies pushed for a ceasefire as the first step toward ending the war, but after talks in Alaska, Trump abruptly abandoned that position.
The president posted on Truth Social: “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.”
That shift, echoed by European leaders who quietly dropped calls for a ceasefire, leaves Zelensky facing mounting pressure to concede the Donbas region, much of it already occupied by Russian forces.
In a statement posted to X on Saturday, trapped between his allies and Russia, Zelensky said that an end to the killing was “important to achieve a truly sustainable and reliable peace.”
Trump, who on his way to Anchorage insisted, “I want to see a ceasefire,” later told Fox News Ukraine should “make a deal,” warning: “Russia’s a very big power and they’re not.”
Putin, returning to Moscow, hailed the alignment. His demand that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas now forms the core of a prospective settlement. In exchange, he has signaled willingness to freeze the front lines elsewhere, though without specifying terms.
Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out handing over Donbas, calling it a “springboard for a future new offensive”. He is due in Washington on Monday ahead of a possible trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin, which Trump indicated could take place as soon as Aug. 22.
