Ukraine: ready for unconditional truce Zelenski

Although an agreement on ending the war in Ukraine seemed more likely than ever – mainly due to taking initiatives by the friendly one to the Russian leader Vladimir PutinUS President Donald Trump, on his own terms, however, and leaving the European Union on the sidelines – the reality proves that even the Republican billionist has found them « dark » in his excessive ambitions to succeed as a peaceman.

When the funeral of Pope Francis ended, on the sidelines of which he met with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, Donald Trump criticized Vladimir Putin for the attacks on non -military areas of Ukraine.

Threatens Putin with sanctions

« There was no reason for Putin to throw rockets in non -military areas, cities and towns in recent days. This makes me think that it may not want to stop the war, just ‘playing’ me and has to be treated differently through banking or secondary sanctions. Too many people are dying !!! « , Trump emphasized in a post on Truth Social, directly threatening the Russian president with new sanctions (for the rest, most of his post is dedicated to … finding the New York Times and their political analyst Peter Baker, Obama in Russia and this war « achievement » of « Dormition » Joe Biden).

One day earlier, however, the US president told the same platform, reaching Rome that Russia and Ukraine « is very close to agreement », adding that the most important points have already been agreed between the two sides.

« As soon as he landed in Rome. A good day in conversations and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. It is very close to agreement and both sides have to meet, at a very high level, to ‘finish’ it. Most of the main points have been agreed. Stop the bloodshed, now. We will be where it is necessary to help to facilitate the end of this harsh and irrational war! « 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkov met with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin for peace talks, a few hours after the death of a senior Russian military official in a car explosion near Moscow.

The – obvious – Ukrainian assassination is unlikely to like the US government, which desperately wishes to show tangible progress in the Ukrainian before the 100th day of Trump’s term next week.

The Republican had invested a lot in Witkov’s visit – fourth to Russia in recent months – claiming that an agreement to end the war in Ukraine was possible. « The next few days will be very important. There are meetings right now, « Trump told reporters on Thursday. « I think we will make a deal. I think we’re very close. « 

However, no obvious development was achieved on Friday. Putin’s senior adviser, Yuri Usakov, who was present in talks, said the discussions were « constructive and quite useful » and noted that the two sides « reduced their differences ».

In his statements to reporters, Usakov said that the possibility of repeating direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed, while Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Vitkov had left Moscow by conveying a message.

Although Trump has repeatedly argued that he was close to ending the war, which is now in his fourth year, his efforts to mediate a peacekeeping agreement between Russia and Ukraine have so far produced minimal results.

Reuters published two series of documents on Friday describing US and Ukraine’s proposals to end the war, revealing significant differences in issues ranging from territorial concessions to sanctions.

It remains unclear whether Moscow, which has consistently rejected an immediate ceasefire, will agree with the US proposal, despite the significant concessions it offers to the Kremlin, including the ability to maintain territories it has occupied.

In an interview with Time Magazine, Trump said that « Crimea will remain in Russia » – the latest sample by the US leader who puts pressure on Ukraine to make concessions to end the war while remains under siege.

In Rome, on the occasion of Pope Francis’ funeral, Zelenski had many bilateral contacts, beyond Donald Trump.

In principle, he met with European Commission President Ursula von der Laien, and although no details of their discussion were yet publicized, the Ukrainian president met with both British Prime Minister Kir Starmer, head of the so -called « alliance ».

It should be noted, however, that the EU is not identified with the US plan to end the war in Ukraine. For example, unlike the US, the European and Ukrainian document posts the detailed debate on the territories until after the ceasefire is completed, without mentioning the recognition of Russian control on any Ukrainian territory.

In addition, Europeans suggest, among other things, that there will be « gradual loosening of sanctions after sustainable peace » and that sanctions can be reinstated if Russia violates the terms of the peace agreement, while Trump, if Putin makes retreats, argue.

Finally, the EU and Ukraine are calling for Kiev to receive financial compensation for the damage caused to the war, from Russian assets abroad that have been « frozen ». On the contrary, the American side says generally that Ukraine will be compensated financially, without mentioning the source of the money.

Ursula von der Layen with Volodimir Zelenski

« Understanding » accepts Ukraine a truce, says Macron

And in all of this diplomatic diplomatic scene, Emmanuel Macron, with a post on X, announced a surprise after stressing that Ukraine was ready for a ceaseless ceasefire.

« A very positive exchange of views today with President Zelenski in Rome. Finally in the war in Ukraine. This is the goal we share with President Trump. Ukraine is ready for a ceaseless ceasefire. President Zelenski told me again today. He wants to work with Americans and Europeans to apply it. Now it is up to President Putin to prove that he really wants peace. We will continue our work in the context of the coalition of the willing in Paris last March, to achieve both this ceasefire and a complete and constant peace in Ukraine, « the French president noted.

Échange très positif aujourd’hui avec le président @Zelenskyyua à rome.

Mettre fin à la guerre en ukraine. C’est l’Abjectif que nous nous partageons en commun avec le président Trump.

L’ukraine est prête à un cessez-le-feu inconditionnel. Le Président Zelensky Me L’A Redit… pic.twitter.com/infd3b8qy9

– Emmanuel Macron (@Mmanuelmacron) April 26, 2025